The United States has deployed a small contingent of troops to Nigeria, marking its first officially acknowledged military presence in the country since U.S. airstrikes targeted terrorist positions in the northwest on Christmas Day 2025.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, said the agreement had led to deeper collaboration between both countries, including the deployment of a small US team with specialised capabilities.
“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 specific mandate of the team, he noted that it would support Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations.
The deployment follows December airstrikes ordered by President Donald Trump against targets linked to the Islamic State in Nigeria. Trump had previously indicated that additional U.S. military action in the country could be taken if necessary.
Nigeria has recently come under increasing pressure from Washington over its handling of terrorist attacks, following President Trump’s accusation that the government failed to protect Christian communities in the northwest — claims the federal government has strongly denied.