The United States is set to deploy 200 troops to Nigeria to assist in training the country’s military as it combats insurgent groups across its northern regions.
A US official, speaking to Reuters, said the deployment will supplement a small contingent of American military personnel already stationed in Nigeria.
The move follows closer security cooperation between the two countries, after US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over claims of targeted attacks on Christians.
Last week, Dagvin Anderson, commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), visited Abuja, where he met with President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Defence Minister Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff Waidi Shaibu, and other senior security officials.
The discussions focused on shared security priorities, particularly countering terrorist groups threatening Nigeria, the West African region, and global security. Anderson confirmed that some US forces are already present in Nigeria under an expanded bilateral agreement, though he did not specify their number. He added that the new troops will mainly focus on intelligence gathering and supporting Nigerian forces.
The development comes after the US conducted missile strikes on two terrorist camps in Bauni Forest, Tangaza LGA, Sokoto State, on Christmas Day. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the “precision hits” were based on shared intelligence and coordinated strategy between the two nations, conducted in accordance with international practice and bilateral agreements.
