The United States has quietly stationed a limited number of troops in Nigeria, marking its first acknowledged ground presence in the country since U.S. airstrikes were carried out against terrorist targets on Christmas Day 2025.
The move comes after air operations approved in December 2025 by then-U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the strikes were aimed at positions linked to the Islamic State operating within Nigeria. At the time, Trump also suggested that Washington could consider additional military measures in the country if the situation required it.
According to Reuters, the U.S. military had already been flying surveillance missions over Nigeria from neighboring Ghana as far back as late November 2025. These reconnaissance flights reportedly provided intelligence support in the buildup to the December airstrikes.
In a report published on Tuesday, Reuters said the troop deployment followed a mutual understanding between the Nigerian government and the United States to strengthen joint efforts against the rising threat of terrorism across West Africa. The agreement is part of broader security cooperation as militant activities continue to destabilize parts of the region.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, the head of U.S. Africa Command, General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, explained that the partnership between both countries has expanded in recent months. He noted that the collaboration now includes a small U.S. military team bringing specialized capabilities to assist Nigerian forces. However, he declined to reveal how many personnel are involved or the exact nature of their duties, stressing only that the team would support Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations.
Reuters also reported that Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, confirmed the presence of the U.S. personnel but similarly avoided disclosing further details about their mission.
Security sources quoted by the news agency suggested that the American team is likely focused on intelligence support, including surveillance and targeting assistance, to help Nigerian forces combat extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
The development comes amid sustained pressure from Washington over Nigeria’s response to terrorist violence. President Trump had previously accused the Nigerian government of failing to adequately protect Christian communities in the northwest, an allegation Abuja has firmly denied.
In response, the Federal Government has repeatedly emphasized that its military campaigns are directed at all armed groups attacking civilians, insisting that its operations are not influenced by religious considerations.