The United States has deployed a small team of troops to Nigeria, the head of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed on Tuesday. This is the first public acknowledgment of U.S. forces on the ground since American airstrikes in Nigeria on Christmas Day.
President Donald Trump ordered the December strikes on Islamic State targets and said further military action in Nigeria was possible.
Earlier reports indicated that the U.S. had been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from Ghana since at least late November.
General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, AFRICOM chief, said the deployment followed agreement between the U.S. and Nigeria that more needed to be done to combat terrorism in West Africa. “That has led to increased collaboration, including a small U.S. team bringing unique capabilities,” he said.
Anderson did not provide details on the team’s size or mission scope. Nigerian Defense Minister Christopher Musa confirmed that U.S. personnel are in the country but offered no further information.
Focus on Intelligence and Support
A former U.S. official said the team is heavily involved in intelligence gathering and enabling Nigerian forces to target terrorist-affiliated groups.
The deployment comes amid pressure from Washington after President Trump accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militants in the northwest. The Nigerian government denies targeting Christians, insisting it targets Islamist fighters and armed groups that attack both Christian and Muslim civilians.
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Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have increased attacks on military convoys and civilians. Northwest Nigeria remains the epicentre of the 17-year Islamist insurgency.
AFRICOM said the U.S. airstrike in Sokoto state, conducted with Nigerian authorities, killed multiple ISIS militants. The strike followed Trump’s October warning of an “existential threat” to Christians in Nigeria and his threat of U.S. intervention.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
