Washington deepens military cooperation as intelligence-led operations target ISIS-linked fighters in northern Nigeria
The United States has confirmed the deployment of a small team of American troops to Nigeria, marking the first official acknowledgement of US boots on the ground following airstrikes ordered by President Donald Trump in December.
The confirmation came from General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, head of the US military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM), during a briefing with journalists in Dakar. He said the deployment followed renewed agreement between Washington and Abuja that stronger action was needed to counter the growing terrorist threat in West Africa.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” Anderson said.
He declined to disclose details about the size, duration or precise mandate of the team.
Nigeria confirms presence of US personnel
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (retd.), separately confirmed that American personnel are operating in the country, but also declined to elaborate on their activities.
A former US official familiar with the operation said the team is believed to be heavily involved in intelligence gathering, supporting Nigerian forces with surveillance and targeting capabilities aimed at terrorist-affiliated groups.
Airstrikes and rising pressure from Washington
The deployment follows US airstrikes carried out on Christmas Day, which the Trump administration said targeted Islamic State-linked fighters in Nigeria. AFRICOM later confirmed that the strike, conducted in Sokoto State in coordination with Nigerian authorities, killed several ISIS militants.
Reuters had earlier reported that the United States had been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from Ghana since at least late November, suggesting a build-up to deeper involvement.
President Trump has repeatedly criticised Nigeria, accusing the government of failing to protect Christian communities from Islamist militants operating in the country’s northwest. He has warned that Christianity faces what he described as an “existential threat” and threatened further military intervention.
Abuja rejects persecution claims
The Nigerian government has strongly denied allegations of systematic persecution of Christians, insisting that security operations target armed groups indiscriminately, regardless of religion.
Officials say Islamist fighters, bandits and criminal gangs have attacked both Christian and Muslim civilians, as well as military personnel.
Meanwhile, Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have stepped up assaults on military convoys and rural communities, with Nigeria’s northwest remaining a major flashpoint in the country’s 17-year insurgency.
AFRICOM has indicated that further cooperation between the two countries remains under review, as the United States reassesses its security posture in the region.
