By Nworisa Michael
The United States has deployed a small team of troops to Nigeria, marking its first official ground military presence in the country since airstrikes targeted terrorist positions on Christmas Day 2025.
The deployment followed airstrikes ordered in December 2025 by former U.S. President Donald Trump against what he described as Islamic State-linked targets in Nigeria. Trump had at the time hinted that further American military actions could follow.
According to Reuters, the United States had been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from neighbouring Ghana since at least late November 2025, providing intelligence support ahead of the December strikes.
The report said the latest deployment followed an agreement between the Nigerian government and Washington to deepen security cooperation amid growing terrorist threats across West Africa.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, the head of the U.S. Africa Command, General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, confirmed the presence of the American team.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small U.S. team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” Anderson said.
He did not disclose the size of the team or its precise operational role but noted that it would support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (rtd), also confirmed the deployment, though he declined to provide further details.
Security sources cited by Reuters said the U.S. personnel are likely involved in intelligence gathering and assisting Nigerian forces in targeting insurgent groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Nigeria has recently faced pressure from Washington over its handling of terrorist violence, particularly after Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christian communities in parts of the northwest a claim the Federal Government has consistently rejected.
Nigerian authorities have maintained that military operations target all armed groups attacking civilians, irrespective of religion or ethnic affiliation.