The United States has announced the deployment of 200 soldiers to Nigeria to support the country’s military as it battles insurgents and terrorist groups across northern regions.
According to Reuters, the troops will complement a small number of US military personnel already operating in Nigeria under a growing bilateral security partnership. The deployment comes amid escalating efforts to tackle terrorism and strengthen regional security.
Last week, General Dagvin Anderson, Commander of the United States 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.
During the visit, the officials discussed shared security priorities, particularly countering terrorist organisations that threaten Nigeria, the West African region, and global security.
General Anderson confirmed that some US forces were already present in Nigeria as part of an expanded security agreement, but did not specify numbers. He said the new troops would primarily focus on intelligence gathering, training, and operational support for Nigerian forces.
In December, the US carried out precision missile strikes on two terrorist enclaves in Bauni Forest, Tangaza LGA, Sokoto State, an operation Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said was based on intelligence sharing and strategic coordination between both countries, and aligned with international practice and bilateral agreements.
The deployment underscores the deepening military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States as both nations continue efforts to combat insurgency, terrorism, and related security threats across affected areas in northern Nigeria.