The Federal Government has clarified reports surrounding the presence of United States troops in Nigeria, stressing that their deployment is limited to intelligence support and training as part of ongoing cooperation to combat terrorism and insurgency.
Head of U.S Africa Command, General Dagvin Anderson, had also revealed this in Dakar, Senegal, saying a small team of American military officers has been dispatched to Nigeria, following a request from the government and focused on intelligence assistance.
This move is part of expanded cooperation between the U.S and Nigeria to tackle militant groups in West Africa, particularly Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP. The deployment comes after U.S President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on suspected Islamic State-linked targets in Nigeria in December 2025.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa, confirmed that a U.S team is working in the country but did not provide details on its size or role.
The announcement has sparked concerns over Nigeria’s sovereignty, but Musa emphasises that the collaboration is aimed at addressing the terrorist threat in the region.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
