The United States has deployed a small team of troops to Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation against terrorism in West Africa, the head of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, said on Tuesday.
Speaking during a press briefing, General Anderson said the deployment followed discussions between both countries on the need to do more to address terrorist threats in the region.
According to him, the decision has led to increased collaboration, including the deployment of a U.S. team with what he described as “unique capabilities.” He did not disclose details about the size of the team or the scope of its operations.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, also confirmed that a U.S. team is currently operating in the country, but declined to provide further details.
The development marks the first public acknowledgment of U.S. troops on the ground in Nigeria since U.S. airstrikes carried out on Christmas Day 2025, which targeted terrorist locations in the country’s North-West.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who announced the airstrikes, had said further military action in Nigeria remained possible.
Reports indicate that the U.S. had been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from Ghana since late November 2025.
A former U.S. official, quoted by Reuters, said the deployed team is believed to be involved mainly in intelligence gathering and supporting Nigerian forces in operations against terrorist-linked groups.
The deployment comes amid pressure from Washington on Nigeria over security concerns, following accusations by President Trump that the country was failing to protect Christians from Islamist militants in the North-West.
The Nigerian government has rejected claims of religious persecution, stating that both Muslims and Christians are affected by the country’s security challenges and that security operations target armed groups regardless of religious affiliation.
