The United States has dispatched a small team of military officers to Nigeria, as announced by Air Force General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, commander of U.S. Africa Command. This deployment follows talks he held with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in Rome late last year about strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation.
Anderson described the specialists as bringing “unique capabilities” to augment Nigeria’s long-running fight against Islamist militant groups, especially Islamic State affiliates and Boko Haram. The exact size and mission details of the team have not been publicly disclosed, but reporting suggests a focus on intelligence support and coordination with Nigerian forces.
This deployment builds on earlier U.S. military action. In December 2025, the United States conducted airstrikes in Sokoto state targeting Islamic State militants after President Donald Trump ordered the strikes. These were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities and reported to have killed “multiple” ISIS-linked fighters.
Prior to the deployment, the U.S. had been conducting surveillance missions from Ghana and supplying equipment to Nigeria as part of enhanced security cooperation. The new team’s arrival underscores this growing relationship in the face of escalating militant attacks across the country.
Nigeria’s Defense Minister confirmed that the U.S. team is operating in the country, but did not detail its activities or numbers. Nigerian officials have rejected claims of targeted persecution of Christians by insurgent groups, stressing that violence affects communities regardless of faith.
The U.S. deployment is a limited advisory and support mission aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts following increased militant activity and recent U.S. military actions like the December 2025 strikes.
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