WASHINGTON: The United States has deployed a small team of troops to Nigeria, marking its first acknowledged military presence on the ground since airstrikes were carried out against terrorist targets on Christmas Day 2025.
The deployment follows airstrikes ordered by US President Donald Trump in December, which he said targeted Islamic State-linked militants operating in Nigeria.
Trump had earlier warned that further American military action could follow.
According to Reuters, the US had been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from neighbouring Ghana since at least late November 2025, providing intelligence support ahead of the December strikes.
The latest deployment is said to be part of a broader agreement between the Nigerian government and Washington to deepen cooperation against rising terrorist threats in West Africa.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, the head of the US Africa Command, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, said the collaboration had expanded to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States.
He did not disclose the size of the team or its exact mandate but noted that it would support Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations.
Reuters also quoted Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as confirming the presence of the US personnel, though he declined to provide further details.
Security sources cited by the news agency said the American troops are likely involved in intelligence gathering and assisting Nigerian forces in identifying and targeting extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
Nigeria has come under increasing pressure from Washington over its handling of insecurity, particularly after President Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians in parts of the northwest an allegation the Federal Government has rejected.
The Federal Government has repeatedly maintained that its military operations are directed at all armed groups attacking civilians, regardless of religious affiliation.
