The United States military has officially acknowledged the presence of American troops in Nigeria, confirming that a limited contingent of US forces has been deployed to the country.
This marks the first public confirmation of US boots on the ground since American airstrikes carried out in December.
According to a Reuters report, the announcement was made by Dagvin Anderson, the head of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
He explained that the deployment followed a bilateral understanding between Washington and Abuja aimed at boosting counterterrorism cooperation.
Recall that President Donald Trump authorised airstrikes on what he described as Islamic State camps in North-east Nigeria. The strikes were carried out on 25 December 2025.
Although both Nigerian and US authorities described the operation as successful, reports later emerged of unexploded ordnance believed to be remnants of the strikes discovered in civilian-populated locations across Kwara, Niger and Sokoto states.
The December missile attacks occurred weeks after Mr Trump threatened to go “guns-a-blazing” into the “now disgraced country” following Nigeria’s redesignation as a country of particular concern, based on claims of “Christian genocide.”
The Nigerian government strongly rejected the allegation, maintaining that insecurity in the country affects citizens of all religions. It urged the US to focus on assisting Nigeria in dismantling terrorist networks rather than advancing narratives capable of deepening national divisions.
Speaking on the nature of the deployment, Mr Anderson, a general, said the unit was offering “unique US capabilities,” but declined to reveal details about the number of personnel involved, their precise mandate, or operational locations.
Reuters also quoted Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, as confirming the presence of US military personnel in the country, without providing additional clarification.
The latest development comes as Nigeria continues to battle a prolonged insurgency led by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Both groups have escalated attacks in the North-east while attempting to spread their influence into the North-west and North-central regions, areas already grappling with banditry, communal clashes and resource-related conflicts.
In addition to ground cooperation, Washington has been conducting aerial surveillance over Nigeria, with flights reportedly operated from neighbouring Ghana.
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