The United States has sent a small contingent of military personnel to Nigeria, marking the first official American ground presence in the country since a series of airstrikes targeted terrorist groups on Christmas Day 2025.
The deployment comes after US President Donald Trump ordered the December 2025 strikes against what he identified as “Islamic State targets” in Nigeria. At the time, Trump suggested that further US military action could be forthcoming.
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According to a Reuters report, the deployment is part of a new agreement between the Nigerian Federal Government and Washington aimed at strengthening cooperation against rising terrorist threats in West Africa.
The US had reportedly been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from neighboring Ghana since at least late November 2025, providing intelligence support for the December operations.
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During a press briefing on Tuesday, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, head of the U.S. Africa Command, confirmed the increased partnership.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” he stated.
General Anderson did not specify the size or exact mission of the team but confirmed it would support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts. Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, also acknowledged the team’s presence but did not provide additional details.
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Security sources cited by Reuters suggest the American personnel are likely involved in intelligence gathering and helping Nigerian forces target extremist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
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The Nigerian government has faced significant pressure from Washington regarding its approach to terrorist attacks. President Trump previously accused the government of failing to protect Christians in the country’s northwest, a claim Nigeria has consistently denied.
The Federal Government maintains that its military operations are directed at all armed groups that threaten civilians, irrespective of their religious affiliation.
