US Military Enters Nigeria as Boko Haram, ISWAP Threats Grow

A small team of US troops has arrived in Nigeria, representing the first officially confirmed American military presence on the ground since terrorist targets were struck on Christmas Day 2025.

The move follows airstrikes authorised in December 2025 by President Donald Trump, who said they were directed at Islamic State-linked targets in the country. He also signalled that the strikes could be followed by further US military operations in Nigeria.

Reuters reports that, prior to the airstrikes, the United States had been flying surveillance missions over Nigeria from neighbouring Ghana since at least late November 2025, providing intelligence support ahead of the December operation.

According to a report by Reuters on Tuesday, the deployment follows an agreement between the Federal Government and Washington to deepen cooperation against growing terrorist threats in West Africa

Head of the U.S. Africa Command, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, said during a press briefing on Tuesday, “That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States.”

He did not disclose the size or specific role of the team but said it would support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.

euters also quoted Defence Minister Christopher Musa as confirming the presence of the US team, though he declined to provide additional details about the deployment.

Security sources told Reuters that the American personnel are believed to be supporting intelligence operations and assisting Nigerian forces in identifying and 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 terrorist violence, especially after US President Donald Trump accused the government of failing to protect Christians in the northwest of the country — an allegation the Federal Government has strongly denied.

The government has maintained that its military campaigns are directed at all armed groups responsible for attacks on civilians, without regard to religious affiliation.