US Deploys Small Troop Contingent to Nigeria to Boost Counterterrorism Efforts
The United States has deployed a small team of troops to Nigeria, the General in charge of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. Dagvin R. M. Anderson, said on Tuesday.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing, Gen. Anderson explained that the deployment followed an agreement between both countries that additional measures were required to counter the growing terrorist threat in West Africa.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations, to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” he said.
Gen. Anderson did not provide further details regarding the size of the team or the scope of its mission.
According to Reuters, Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, confirmed that a US team was operating in the country but also declined to disclose specifics.
The development marks the first formal acknowledgement of US forces on the ground since American airstrikes targeted terrorist positions in Nigeria’s North-West on Christmas Day, 2025.
President Donald Trump, who announced that he ordered the strikes on what he described as Islamic State targets, had indicated that further US military action in Nigeria remained possible.
Reuters also reported that the US had been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from neighbouring Ghana since at least late November.
A former US official said the American team appeared to be heavily involved in intelligence gathering and supporting Nigerian forces to strike terrorist-affiliated groups.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has come under mounting pressure from Washington to strengthen its response to insecurity after President Trump accused the country of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militants operating in the North-West.
Tribune Online reports that the Nigerian government has denied any systematic persecution of Christians, maintaining that both Muslims and Christians are affected by the country’s security challenges. It added that security operations are focused on Islamist fighters and other armed groups responsible for attacks.
