US Deploys Military Team to Nigeria Following Christmas Day Airstrikes

The United States has confirmed the deployment of a limited number of troops to Nigeria, marking the first acknowledged US military presence on Nigerian soil since American airstrikes targeted terrorist positions on Christmas Day 2025.

The move comes in the aftermath of airstrikes ordered by US President Donald Trump in December, which he said were directed at “Islamic State targets” operating within Nigeria. At the time, Trump also warned that additional American military action in the country could follow if security threats persisted.

According to Reuters, the troop deployment is part of a broader agreement between Washington and the Federal Government of Nigeria aimed at strengthening cooperation against escalating terrorist activity across West Africa.

The report noted that, even before the December strikes, the United States had been flying surveillance missions over Nigeria from neighbouring **Ghana** since at least late November 2025, supplying intelligence support ahead of the attacks.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, the head of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, linked the deployment to expanded bilateral cooperation.

“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.

While Anderson declined to reveal the size or precise responsibilities of the team, he said the deployment is intended to support Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations.

Reuters also quoted Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, as confirming the presence of the American personnel, though he similarly declined to provide further details about their mission.

Security sources cited in the report suggested that the US team is likely focused on intelligence gathering and providing technical support to Nigerian forces targeting extremist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Nigeria has come under sustained pressure from Washington over its response to terrorism, particularly after President Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians in parts of the northwest — allegations the Federal Government has strongly rejected.

Nigerian authorities have maintained that military operations are conducted against all armed groups attacking civilians, insisting that security actions are not driven by religious considerations but by the need to restore peace and stability nationwide.