The United States has deployed a small contingent of troops to Nigeria, marking its first officially acknowledged military presence in the country since its airstrikes targeted terrorist positions in North-West on Christmas Day 2025.
The deployment followed airstrikes ordered in December 2025 by the US President Donald Trump against what he described as Islamic State-linked targets in Nigeria. Trump had earlier signalled that further American military action could be taken in the country if necessary.
Reuters reported that prior to the December strikes, the US had conducted surveillance flights over Nigeria from neighbouring Ghana since at least late November 2025, providing intelligence support ahead of the operation.
According to the Reuters report on Tuesday, the troop deployment was the result of a bilateral agreement between Nigeria and the United States aimed at strengthening cooperation against escalating terrorist threats across West Africa.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, said the agreement had led to deeper collaboration between both countries, including the deployment of a small US team with specialised capabilities.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small U.S. team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” Anderson said.
While he declined to disclose the size or specific mandate of the team, he noted that it would support Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations.
Reuters also quoted Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, as confirming the presence of the US personnel, though he did not provide further details.
Security sources told Reuters that the American team was likely involved in intelligence gathering and providing support to Nigerian forces targeting extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Nigeria has recently faced mounting pressure from Washington over its response to terrorist attacks, particularly after President Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christian communities in the North-West — allegations the Federal Government has firmly rejected.
The Federal Government has maintained that its military operations were conducted against all armed groups attacking civilians, irrespective of religious affiliation.
