DAKAR, Feb 3, 2026 – The United States has quietly sent a limited number of military personnel to Nigeria to assist in combating Islamist insurgents, marking the first confirmed presence of U.S. forces on the ground since Washington conducted airstrikes there on Christmas Day.
The deployment follows President Donald Trump’s December order to target Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria, with the U.S. indicating that additional operations could take place if the threat persists. Prior to this, U.S. surveillance planes had been flying over Nigeria from Ghana since late November to monitor militant activities.
General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), explained that the small U.S. team was sent after Nigeria and the United States agreed that more needed to be done to counter growing terrorist threats in West Africa. “This has led to closer cooperation between our countries, including a specialized U.S. team that brings unique capabilities to support Nigerian forces,” Anderson said during a press briefing.
The size, mission, and operational scope of the U.S. team have not been disclosed. Nigeria’s Defense Minister, Christopher Musa, confirmed the presence of U.S. personnel in the country but declined to provide additional information. According to a former U.S. official, the team is primarily focused on intelligence gathering and assisting Nigerian forces in planning and executing operations against terrorist-affiliated groups.
The deployment comes amid growing pressure from Washington after President Trump accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians from attacks by Islamist militants in the country’s northwest. Nigerian authorities have rejected claims of targeted persecution, stating that military efforts are directed at armed groups that attack both Christian and Muslim civilians.
Northwest Nigeria remains the epicenter of a 17-year Islamist insurgency, led by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Militants have intensified attacks on both civilians and military convoys. AFRICOM said the Christmas Day strike in Sokoto State, carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities, killed multiple Islamic State-affiliated militants.
President Trump has repeatedly warned of an “existential threat” to Christians in Nigeria, suggesting that U.S. military intervention could occur if the Nigerian government fails to take stronger action against militant attacks. The presence of U.S. personnel is aimed at enhancing intelligence sharing, boosting Nigerian military capabilities, and supporting ongoing counterterrorism operations in the volatile northwest region.
The collaboration between U.S. and Nigerian forces highlights growing international concern over regional security in West Africa, and signals Washington’s commitment to assisting Nigeria in containing militant activity and protecting civilians in areas affected by insurgency.
