By SUNTV Global Channel | February 4, 2026
The United States has confirmed the deployment of a team of American troops to Nigeria as both countries move to strengthen military cooperation amid escalating terrorist threats in West Africa.
The development was confirmed on Tuesday by the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, who said Washington and Abuja agreed that existing security efforts were no longer sufficient to confront evolving extremist challenges in the region.
According to Anderson, the renewed partnership follows extensive discussions between both governments, culminating in the decision to deploy U.S. personnel to support Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations, including a small U.S. team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” Anderson told journalists during a media briefing.
While confirming the deployment, the AFRICOM chief declined to disclose the size of the team, the duration of its stay, or whether the troops would be involved in combat operations or limited to advisory and support roles.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (retd.), also confirmed that U.S. personnel are currently operating in the country, stressing that the deployment was carried out through mutual agreement between both governments. Like his American counterpart, Musa did not provide further operational details.
The confirmation comes weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes in December 2025 against what Washington described as Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Nigeria. At the time, Trump warned that further U.S. military action could follow, signalling a tougher American stance against extremist groups operating in West Africa.
In December, the U.S. Department of Defense said the airstrikes—carried out at the request of the Nigerian government—killed “multiple ISIS terrorists.” Trump publicly announced the operation, describing it as a decisive action against what he termed “Radical Islamic Terrorism.”
U.S. officials later released a short video clip of the strikes, with the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, confirming that the operations in Sokoto State were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Nigeria has battled persistent insecurity linked to terrorist groups and armed criminal networks, particularly in the North-East and parts of the North-West. Despite repeated assurances from Nigerian authorities that the country maintains control of its security architecture, the latest agreement underscores a strategic partnership aimed at boosting counter-terrorism capacity.
The presence of foreign troops is expected to spark public debate within Nigeria, especially over issues of national sovereignty and the implications of deeper U.S. military involvement following the December airstrikes.
However, officials from both countries have emphasised cooperation rather than confrontation, describing the deployment as a joint effort to tackle shared security threats in West Africa.
For now, both Abuja and Washington appear determined to keep operational details under wraps, even as the confirmation of U.S. troops on Nigerian soil signals a new phase in Nigeria–U.S. military relations.
