The United States has quietly sent a small team of troops to Nigeria, according to the top general overseeing U.S. military operations in Africa. This marks the first public confirmation of American boots on Nigerian soil since U.S. airstrikes were launched in December against targets described as linked to the Islamic State.
President Donald Trump had earlier ordered those airstrikes on Christmas Day, warning that more military action could follow if the terrorist threat in the region persisted. Reports also revealed that the U.S. had been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from Ghana since late November, signaling growing concern over security developments in West Africa.
Speaking at a media briefing, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, head of AFRICOM, explained that the deployment followed discussions between both countries on the need to strengthen efforts against terrorism. He described the team as bringing “unique capabilities” to support Nigeria’s fight against extremist groups but declined to reveal details about their size or exact mission.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (retd), confirmed that a U.S. team is currently operating in the country, though he also withheld specifics. A former U.S. official suggested the American personnel are primarily focused on intelligence gathering and supporting Nigerian forces in targeting terrorist-affiliated groups.
The development comes amid mounting pressure from Washington, with President Trump previously accusing Nigeria of failing to protect Christian communities from Islamist militants, especially in the northwest. The Nigerian government has strongly denied claims of systematic religious persecution, insisting that its operations target armed groups attacking both Christians and Muslims.
Meanwhile, Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have stepped up attacks on military convoys and civilians, keeping the northwest at the center of Nigeria’s long-running insurgency. AFRICOM confirmed that a recent coordinated strike in Sokoto State, carried out with Nigerian authorities, killed several ISIS militants.
The renewed U.S.–Nigeria military cooperation signals a deeper intelligence and operational partnership aimed at curbing the spread of extremist violence. As both nations tighten collaboration, attention now turns to how this joint effort will reshape the security landscape in Nigeria and the broader West African region.
