ABUJA, Nigeria — The United States has officially confirmed the deployment of a small team of military personnel to Nigeria, marking the first public acknowledgment of U.S. forces operating on the ground in the West African nation in recent months. The move is part of deepened bilateral efforts to combat terrorist threats, particularly from groups affiliated with the Islamic State, amid persistent insecurity in Nigeria's northern regions.
General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), announced the deployment during a press briefing on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. He stated that the decision followed high-level discussions, including a meeting with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in Rome late last year—likely during the Aqaba Process summit in October 2025—where both leaders agreed that enhanced collaboration was necessary to address evolving security challenges in West Africa.
“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 in order to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years,” General Anderson said. He described the team as providing specialized expertise, primarily in intelligence sharing, planning, and other support functions, though he did not disclose the exact number of personnel, their precise arrival date, or specific operational locations.
The deployment builds on recent U.S. military actions in Nigeria, including airstrikes conducted on December 25, 2025, targeting Islamic State-affiliated militants in Sokoto State, northwest Nigeria. Those strikes, described by the U.S. as "powerful and deadly," were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities and resulted in multiple militant casualties, according to AFRICOM assessments. President Donald Trump publicly characterized the operation as a response to threats against Christian communities, though Nigerian officials and analysts have noted that the primary insurgent threats in the northwest differ from those in the northeast, where Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other groups like Boko Haram remain active.
Nigeria's Defense Minister, Christopher Musa, confirmed the presence of the U.S. team, stating that they are working in support of Nigerian forces but provided no further operational details. The deployment comes at a time when Nigeria continues to face multifaceted security challenges, including jihadist insurgencies in the northeast, banditry and kidnappings in the northwest, and communal violence in the Middle Belt.
General Anderson emphasized that the U.S. presence is limited and focused on advisory and enabling roles rather than direct combat. “We’re augmenting Nigerian efforts with unique capabilities,” he noted, highlighting the importance of partnership in countering regional terrorism that threatens stability across West Africa. The announcement also follows the loss of U.S. military basing rights in neighboring Niger after a 2023 coup, which has prompted adjustments in AFRICOM's regional posture.
The U.S.-Nigeria security relationship has evolved significantly in recent years, with Washington providing training, equipment, and intelligence support to Nigerian forces through various programs. However, past tensions—including restrictions on certain forms of assistance due to human rights concerns—have occasionally strained ties. The current collaboration reflects a renewed focus under the Trump administration, which has prioritized countering Islamist extremism and protecting vulnerable populations.
No immediate reactions from militant groups were reported, but analysts suggest the U.S. involvement could complicate insurgent operations by improving targeting accuracy and response times for Nigerian troops. Nigerian officials have welcomed the support, framing it as a necessary step to address threats that have displaced millions and claimed thousands of lives over the past decade.
As details about the team's activities remain limited, the deployment underscores growing U.S. engagement in West Africa’s security landscape. AFRICOM continues to monitor regional dynamics closely, with officials indicating that further cooperation could expand if mutual assessments warrant it.
The announcement has been widely covered by international and local media, including Reuters, Stars and Stripes, Anadolu Agency, and Nigerian outlets such as Premium Times and Sahara Reporters, all confirming the details from General Anderson's briefing.
