By Marcus Nkire
The United States has deployed military personnel to Nigeria as part of a broader effort to deepen security cooperation between the two countries in the fight against terrorism.
According to the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, officials from both nations have agreed that stronger military coordination is necessary to counter extremist threats.
While U.S. surveillance operations over Nigeria had reportedly been conducted from neighboring Ghana since at least late November, this deployment marks the first formal confirmation of American troops operating within Nigeria. The acknowledgement follows U.S. airstrikes carried out in the country toward the end of December.
American officials explained that the mission is centered primarily on intelligence collection and advisory support aimed at assisting Nigerian forces confronting terrorist-linked groups.
The move comes amid growing diplomatic pressure from Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump had recently criticized Nigeria over what he described as insufficient efforts to safeguard Christian communities from attacks by Islamist militants active in the country’s northwest region.
The expanded military presence reflects Washington’s increasing focus on security developments in Nigeria as part of its broader counterterrorism strategy in West Africa.
