The United States has confirmed that a small contingent of its troops has been sent to Nigeria as part of expanded security cooperation with Nigerian Government to help tackle ongoing threats from Islamist militants and other armed groups.
Gatekeepers News reports that the deployment was publicly acknowledged on Tuesday by General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, head of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), during a press briefing.
This marks the first official confirmation of American military personnel on Nigerian soil since US-led airstrikes targeted Islamic State-linked positions in northern Nigeria last December.
General Anderson said the decision to send the team came after consultations with President Bola Tinubu during a meeting late last year in Rome, leading both nations to agree on deeper collaboration against terrorism.
The US contingent, described as small and bringing unique capabilities to support Nigeria’s efforts, was sent to augment existing counter-terrorism operations, although specifics about when the team arrived, its exact size, and its mission role have not been fully disclosed.
The deployment follows continued security challenges in Nigeria, including violent activity by groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which have carried out attacks across parts of northern and central Nigeria and are a key focus of ongoing military cooperation.
Nigerian authorities have faced pressure from Washington over persistent insecurity and accusations that the Nigerian Government was failing to protect civilians, allegations that Abuja has denied, stressing that its forces target all armed extremists regardless of religious affiliation.
This move also comes in the wake of US airstrikes on December 25, 2025, launched against Islamic State-affiliated targets following threats made by former US leadership about possible military measures if the Islamist violence continued. The current deployment signals a shift toward more direct, though limited, bilateral military interaction between the United States and Nigeria.
Efforts to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation include enhanced intelligence sharing and support roles rather than large-scale combat operations, according to reports, as both countries aim to blunt the impact of insurgent violence and stabilise affected regions.
