The United States has deployed a small contingent of troops to Nigeria, marking its first officially acknowledged ground military presence in the country since airstrikes were carried out against terrorist targets on Christmas Day 2025.
The deployment follows the December airstrikes ordered by US President Donald Trump, which he said were aimed at Islamic State-linked targets operating within Nigeria.
Trump had at the time warned that further American military action in the country remained a possibility.
According to Reuters, US forces had been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from neighbouring Ghana since at least late November 2025, providing intelligence support ahead of the airstrikes.
A Reuters report published on Tuesday said the latest deployment is the outcome of an agreement between Washington and the Federal Government to strengthen cooperation in tackling the growing terrorist threat across West Africa.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, the head of the US Africa Command, General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, said the renewed partnership had resulted in the deployment of a small US team with specialised capabilities.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” Anderson said.
He did not disclose the size of the team or its specific operational role, but noted that it would support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, also confirmed the presence of the US team but declined to provide further details.
Security sources quoted by Reuters said the American personnel are likely involved in intelligence gathering and assisting Nigerian forces in targeting insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
Nigeria has recently come under increased scrutiny from Washington over its handling of terrorist attacks, particularly after President Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christian communities in the northwest.
The Federal Government has rejected the allegation.
The government has consistently maintained that its military operations target all armed groups attacking civilians, irrespective of religion.
