The United States has deployed a small group of troops to Nigeria, the first official US military presence on the ground since airstrikes targeted terrorists on Christmas Day 2025.
The deployment of Nigeria follows airstrikes ordered by President Donald Trump in December 2025 on what he described as “Islamic State targets” in the country.
Trump had also demonstrated that further US military action in Nigeria could follow.
Reports that the US had been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from neighboring Ghana since at least late November 2025, providing intelligence support ahead of the December strike
According to a report by Reuters on Tuesday, the deployment follows an agreement between the Federal Government and Washington to deepen cooperation against growing terrorist threats in West Africa.
Head of the U.S. Africa Command, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, said amid a press briefing on Tuesday, “That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to incorporate a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States.”
He did not disclose the estimate or specific role of the team, but said it would support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
Defence Minister Christopher Musa, too, affirmed the team’s nearness but declined to provide further details.
Security sources said the Americans are likely involved in intelligence gathering and helping Nigerian forces in focusing on groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
Nigeria has faced intense pressure from Washington over its handling of terrorist attacks, particularly after U.S. President Donald Trump accused the government of failing to ensure Christians in the northwest — a claim the Federal Government has rejected.