US Confirms Troop Deployment to Nigeria
The United States has confirmed the deployment of a small team of military personnel to Nigeria, a move aimed at deepening cooperation with the West African nation in its fight against militant groups. This marks the first official acknowledgment of a US military presence on the ground in Nigeria since a series of American airstrikes were conducted in December 2025.
General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, head of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), confirmed the deployment during a press briefing on Tuesday. Nigeria's Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, also acknowledged the presence of US personnel, though neither official disclosed specific details regarding the team's size or the full scope of their mission.
Context of Recent Airstrikes and Cooperation
The deployment follows US airstrikes carried out on Christmas Day 2025, which targeted what President Donald Trump described as 'Islamic State targets' in northwestern Nigeria, specifically in Sokoto state. These strikes were reportedly conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
According to General Anderson, the decision for increased collaboration stemmed from discussions between Washington and Abuja, including a meeting between him and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in Rome late last year. He stated, 'That has led to increased collaboration between our nations, to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States in order to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years.'
Mission Focus and Regional Security Concerns
While official details remain limited, sources suggest the US team's primary focus is on intelligence gathering and providing support to Nigerian forces in their operations against terrorist-affiliated groups. Militant organizations such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have intensified attacks across Nigeria, particularly in the North-east and expanding into the North-west and North-central regions.
Prior to the December airstrikes, the US had been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from neighboring Ghana since at least late November 2025, providing intelligence support. The broader context of US engagement in the region also includes past pressure from the Trump administration on Nigeria regarding its handling of security issues, particularly accusations of failing to protect Christian populations, which led to Nigeria being designated a 'Country of Particular Concern.' The Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims of Christian genocide.
Broader US Strategy in West Africa
This deployment signifies a continued, albeit evolving, US military engagement in West Africa. The region has seen a dynamic shift in international military presence, with some Western forces withdrawing from neighboring countries like Niger. The US military's support to Nigeria is expected to concentrate on areas like Sokoto State and the northeast, regions significantly affected by nearly two decades of unrest.
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