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.

Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of Libya’s late longtime ruler, Moamer Gaddafi, has been killed by gunmen in his residence in western Libya, advisers and family sources confirmed on Tuesday.

According to Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim, an adviser to the Gaddafi family, four unidentified armed men stormed Seif al-Islam’s home after disabling surveillance cameras and shot him dead.

The attack reportedly occurred in Zintan, a town in northwestern Libya.

Confirming the incident, Seif al-Islam’s French lawyer, Marcel Ceccaldi, told AFP that his client was killed by what he described as a “four-man commando.”

He said the identity of the attackers remained unknown, adding that concerns had recently been raised about the security around the late Gaddafi’s residence.

Seif al-Islam, 53, had long been viewed as his father’s political heir and a central figure in Libya’s post-Gaddafi political calculations.

In 2021, he declared his intention to contest the country’s presidential election, although the polls were later postponed indefinitely.

Media reports said his exact whereabouts had remained unclear for years following his release from detention, but he was confirmed to have died in Zintan.

His cousin, Hamid Gaddafi, described his killing as a martyrdom during an interview with local media.

Although he held no formal government position under his father, Seif al-Islam was widely regarded as Libya’s de facto prime minister before the 2011 uprising, projecting an image of reform and moderation that later collapsed when he threatened violent suppression of protests.

He was arrested in November 2011 following an International Criminal Court warrant and was sentenced to death by a Tripoli court in 2015 before being granted amnesty.

Libya analyst Emadeddin Badi said the killing could significantly alter the country’s political landscape, potentially removing a major obstacle to future presidential elections while simultaneously elevating Seif al-Islam’s status among certain segments of the population.

Libya has remained politically fractured since the NATO-backed uprising that ousted Moamer Gaddafi in 2011, with rival administrations operating from Tripoli and eastern Libya.

British prosecutors have alleged that Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, spent £140,000 on luxury furniture and decorative art in a single day while living in London.

The allegation was made on Monday as the trial of the former minister continued at the Southwark Crown Court in London. Alison-Madueke is facing a five-count charge bordering on accepting bribes and is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama. All defendants have pleaded not guilty.

According to prosecutors, evidence presented before the court showed that Alison-Madueke engaged in extravagant spending at a London antiques store, purchasing high-end furniture, bespoke lighting and decorative art. The payments were allegedly made through intermediaries.

British prosecutors told the court that the luxury items were part of bribes allegedly received by the former minister from individuals with interests in Nigeria’s oil sector.

They claimed she also benefited from the use of high-value properties and other luxury perks provided by industry figures seeking oil contracts.

Alexandra Healy, a prosecutor, told the jury that Alison-Madueke “enjoyed a life of luxury in London,” which, she said, was funded by those seeking favourable treatment in Nigeria’s oil industry.

During earlier proceedings on January 27, prosecutors maintained that the alleged bribes were disguised as gifts, including luxury goods and access to premium residences.

However, Alison-Madueke’s defence team rejected the claims.

Her lawyer, Jonathan Laidlaw, told the court on January 29 that the former minister wielded no real power over the awarding of oil contracts during her time in office.

Laidlaw argued that Alison-Madueke merely acted on official recommendations, describing her role as that of a “rubber stamp,” and denied that she influenced contract decisions for personal gain.

Findings from the DHS website on Monday showed that the Nigerians were convicted of various offences including fraud, drug peddling, assault, manslaughter, robbery, and related crimes.

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to deport at least 79 Nigerians listed among what it described as the “worst of the worst” criminal aliens in the country.

Findings from the DHS website on Monday showed that the Nigerians were convicted of various offences including fraud, drug peddling, assault, manslaughter, robbery, and related crimes.

An accompanying note explained that the individuals were arrested as part of an intensified nationwide crackdown on criminal immigrants.

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” the statement read.

“Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations, starting with the worst of the worst, including the illegal aliens you see here.”

Those listed include Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Ejike Asiegbunam, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Ifeanyi Nwaozomudoh, Aderemi Akefe, Solomon Wilfred, Chibundu Anuebunwa, Joshua Ineh, Usman Momoh, Oluwole Odunowo, Bolarinwa Salau, and Oriyomi Aloba.

Others named are Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay, and Joseph Ogbara.

Also on the list are Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olugbenga Abass, Oyewole Balogun, Adeyinka Ademokunla, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Olamide Adedipe, Patrick Onogwu, Olajide Olateru-Olagbegi, and Omotayo Akinto.

Others include Kenneth Unanka, Jeremiah Ehis, Oluwafemi Orimolade, Ayibatonye Bienzigha, Uche Diuno, Akinwale Adaramaja, Boluwatife Afolabi, Chinonso Ochie, Olayinka A. Jones, Theophilus Anwana, Aishatu Umaru, and Henry Idiagbonya.

Further names are Okechukwu Okoronkwo, Daro Kosin, Sakiru Ambali, Kamaludeen Giwa, Cyril Odogwu, Ifeanyi Echigeme, Kingsley Ibhadore, Suraj Tairu, Peter Equere, Dasola Abdulraheem, Adewale Aladekoba, and Akeem Adeleke.

Also included are Bernard Ogie Oretekor, Abiemwense Obanor, Olufemi Olufisayo Olutiola, Chukwuemeka Okorie, Abimbola Esan, Elizabeth Miller, Chima Orji, Adetunji Olofinlade, Abdul Akinsanya, Elizabeth Adeshewo, Dennis Ofuoma, and Boluwaji Akingunsoye.

Others listed are Quazeem Adeyinka, Ifeanyi Okoro, Oluwaseun Kassim, Olumide Bankole Morakinyo, Abraham Ola Osoko, Oluchi Jennifer, and Chibuzo Nwaonu.

President Donald Trump’s administration has continued its aggressive crackdown on criminal and illegal immigrants across the United States, with many Nigerians reportedly affected by the policy.

It was widely reported that  some Nigerians have gone into hiding while others are quietly returning home amid the intensified deportation drive led by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The sweeping enforcement actions — including house-to-house raids — have triggered fear, controversy and protests in several parts of the country, particularly following a series of high-profile incidents involving federal immigration officers.