The United States deployed a small number of troops to Nigeria in early February 2026, following airstrikes carried out in December 2025. The deployment marks the first confirmed presence of US forces on Nigerian soil since the Christmas Day air attacks on suspected terrorist locations.
The move followed airstrikes ordered by US President Donald Trump, which targeted locations linked to the Islamic State in Nigeria. After the attacks, the US president had indicated that further military steps could be taken if security threats in the region persisted.
Before the airstrikes, the United States had been running surveillance operations over Nigeria from neighbouring Ghana as early as late November 2025. These flights were used to gather intelligence that supported the December military action.
According to information from Reuters, the troop deployment came after an agreement between the Nigerian government and the United States to strengthen cooperation against rising terrorist activities in West Africa. The arrangement is aimed at improving joint efforts to combat armed groups operating within the region.
The head of the US Africa Command, General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, confirmed that a small American team had been sent to Nigeria to support ongoing security operations. While details about the size and exact duties of the team were not disclosed, the general said the personnel would provide specialised support to Nigerian forces.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, also confirmed the presence of the US team but did not give further information on their mission. Security sources familiar with the situation said the Americans are expected to assist mainly with intelligence gathering and operational support against groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
The deployment comes amid pressure from Washington over Nigeria’s response to terrorist violence, especially after President Trump accused the country of failing to protect Christian communities in parts of the northwest. The Nigerian government rejected the claim and maintained that its military operations target all armed groups attacking civilians, regardless of religion.