The United States has deployed a small team of military personnel to Nigeria, marking its first acknowledged ground presence in the country since airstrikes were carried out against terrorist targets on Christmas Day 2025.
The move followed air operations authorised by US President Donald Trump in December, which he said were directed at Islamic State-linked targets, amid suggestions that Washington could take further military steps if security threats persist.
Reuters reported on Tuesday that the deployment was part of an agreement between the Federal Government and the United States to strengthen joint efforts against escalating terrorist activities across West Africa.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Head of the United States Africa Command, General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, confirmed the development, saying enhanced cooperation between both countries had resulted in the arrival of a small US team.
“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, declining to disclose the size or precise mandate of the personnel.
The report added that Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, also confirmed the presence of the American team but offered no further details on its operations.
Security sources cited by Reuters said the US personnel were likely providing intelligence support and assisting Nigerian forces in identifying and targeting extremist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
Ahead of the December airstrikes, the US had reportedly conducted surveillance flights over Nigeria from neighbouring Ghana since late November 2025 to support intelligence-gathering efforts.
The deployment comes amid continued pressure from Washington over Nigeria’s response to terrorist attacks, following accusations by President Trump that the Federal Government had failed to protect Christians in parts of the northwest, claims which Nigerian authorities have rejected.
The Federal Government has consistently maintained that its military operations target all armed groups attacking civilians, regardless of religious or ethnic considerations.
