The United States has deployed a small team of troops to Nigeria, marking the first official acknowledgment of American forces on the ground since U.S. airstrikes were carried out in the country on Christmas Day.
The confirmation was made Tuesday by the commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), amid growing attention to Washington’s military involvement in West Africa. The deployment follows airstrikes ordered by President Donald Trump in December, which he said targeted Islamic State–linked militants operating in Nigeria.
At the time, President Trump warned that additional U.S. military action could follow if militant threats persisted. While U.S. officials have not disclosed the exact size or mission of the deployed team, the move signals a deeper level of engagement beyond aerial operations.
Nigeria has been battling insurgent groups, including Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), particularly in its northeastern region. The presence of U.S. troops is expected to focus on advisory, intelligence, or coordination roles, though officials have not provided specific details.
The development underscores Washington’s broader counterterrorism strategy in Africa, even as U.S. military deployments on the continent remain politically sensitive.