Nigeria, US Step Up Security Cooperation as Troops Deployed

The United States has confirmed the deployment of a small team of troops to Nigeria as part of increased collaboration between both countries to combat terrorism in West Africa.

The commander of the U.S. Africa Command, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing, saying the decision followed mutual agreement that more action was required to address growing security threats in the region stating that the team brings “unique capabilities” to support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts but declined to give details on the size of the team or the scope of its mission. The development marks the first official acknowledgment of U.S. forces operating on Nigerian soil since U.S. airstrikes targeted terrorist positions in the North-West on Christmas Day 2025 as the move comes amid pressure from Washington over security concerns, particularly allegations of attacks on Christians, which the Nigerian government has denied, insisting that insecurity affects all communities and that efforts are ongoing to combat armed and extremist groups nationwide.

Written by Adeyemi Adewale