U.S. Sends Military Team to Nigeria Following Attacks
By Mercy Omotosho
The United States has deployed a small team of military officers to Nigeria in a move aimed at enhancing security collaboration between the two countries, U.S. Africa Command chief General Dagvin R.M. Anderson has confirmed.
Speaking at a briefing, General Anderson said the deployment followed discussions with President Bola Tinubu in Rome late last year and is intended to augment Nigeria’s ongoing efforts against armed groups operating within the country.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations, to include a small U.S. team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States in order to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years,” Anderson said, though he did not specify the exact arrival date of the team in Nigeria.
The deployment marks the latest step in U.S. military engagement in Nigeria, which began with airstrikes on December 25, 2025, targeting a group affiliated with the Islamic State.
Diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Nigeria had previously escalated after U.S. President Donald Trump alleged that Nigeria was failing to protect its Christian citizens, designating the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious oppression.
The Nigerian government has strongly rejected these claims, emphasizing that armed groups attack civilians irrespective of faith.
Despite past disputes, security cooperation between the two nations has intensified, with the U.S. providing military equipment and conducting reconnaissance missions to support Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations.
Nigeria continues to face threats from multiple armed groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
Last month, an attack by an armed group on three churches in northwestern Kaduna State resulted in the abduction of 168 people, highlighting ongoing security challenges.
General Anderson described the U.S. deployment as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond to armed threats while maintaining regional stability.
