In a significant escalation of military partnership, the United States has confirmed the deployment of a “small team” of troops to Nigeria. This marks the first official acknowledgment of American boots on the ground following the high-profile Christmas Day airstrikes conducted by the U.S. military against ISIS-affiliated targets in Sokoto State.
General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), announced the deployment during a virtual press briefing on Tuesday. He explained that the decision followed high-level consultations between Washington and Abuja, where both nations concluded that existing efforts were insufficient to stem the tide of evolving terrorist threats 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,” General Anderson stated.
While specific operational details remain confidential, the team is reportedly focused on intelligence gathering, surveillance, and enabling Nigerian forces to more effectively strike militant hideouts. This follows months of increased U.S. surveillance flights over the region, often launched from neighboring Ghana, and the delivery of critical military supplies to Abuja earlier this year.
The deployment comes amid a complex diplomatic backdrop. U.S. President Donald Trump had previously designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” alleging an “existential threat” to Christians in the north, a claim the Nigerian government has rejected, maintaining that terrorists target all citizens regardless of faith. Despite these tensions, both governments have moved toward a pragmatic security alliance to dismantle networks belonging to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, confirmed the presence of the U.S. personnel, emphasizing that the partnership is a joint effort to secure the region. However, the presence of foreign troops is already sparking debate within Nigeria regarding national sovereignty and the long-term implications of direct U.S. military involvement in the Sahel’s security crisis.
This move signals a more assertive U.S. role in African security. As the “Christmas gift” airstrikes transition into a sustained advisory presence, observers are watching closely to see if this “unique capability” will finally turn the tide in Nigeria’s nearly two-decade-long battle against insurgency.
