BY UCHECHI OKPORIE
The United States has deployed a small team of troops to Nigeria, marking the first official U.S. military presence on the ground since airstrikes targeted terrorist positions on Christmas Day 2025.
The December strikes, ordered by former President Donald Trump, targeted Islamic State affiliates in the region.
U.S. forces had previously conducted surveillance flights over Nigeria from neighboring Ghana, providing intelligence support for the operations.
The Punch Newspaper reports that the deployment comes under a bilateral agreement between Washington and Abuja to enhance counterterrorism cooperation.
While details about the size and role of the U.S. team remain limited, officials indicate the personnel will assist in intelligence gathering and support Nigerian forces against groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.
Nigeria has faced international scrutiny over its handling of terrorist attacks, with the U.S. emphasizing the protection of civilian populations in the northwest.
The Nigerian government maintains that its military operations target all armed groups, regardless of religious affiliation.
