The United States has confirmed the deployment of a small military team to Nigeria, marking its first official ground presence in the country since airstrikes were carried out against terrorist targets on Christmas Day 2025.
The move follows air operations authorised by U.S. President Donald Trump in December, which he said were aimed at Islamic State-linked positions in Nigeria. Trump had earlier hinted that further American military action in the country remained a possibility.
According to Reuters, the United States had been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from neighbouring Ghana since late November 2025, gathering intelligence ahead of the December strikes.
A Reuters report on Tuesday said the troop deployment came after an agreement between Washington and the Nigerian Federal Government to strengthen cooperation against escalating terrorist threats across West Africa.
Speaking during a press briefing, U.S. Africa Command chief General Dagvin R.M. Anderson said the development had led to closer collaboration between both nations.
“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.
While he declined to disclose the size or precise responsibilities of the team, he confirmed that its role would be to support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, also confirmed the presence of the American personnel but offered no further details.
Security sources quoted by Reuters indicated that the U.S. team is likely assisting with intelligence gathering and helping Nigerian forces target militant groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Nigeria has recently faced mounting pressure from Washington over its response to terrorist violence, particularly after President Trump accused the government of failing to protect Christians in parts of the northwest — an allegation Abuja has rejected.
The Federal Government has maintained that its military operations are directed at all armed groups attacking civilians, regardless of religious affiliation.
