More U.S. boots on Nigerian soil — but not for combat. Washington deepens its security role in West Africa.
About 100 additional U.S. military personnel have arrived in Nigeria as Washington expands its support for the country’s campaign against insurgent groups, Nigerian defense officials confirmed.
Major General Samaila Uba, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters, said the American troops will focus on training and advising Nigerian forces and enhancing intelligence capabilities. He stressed that the U.S. personnel will not participate directly in combat operations.
The deployment follows U.S. strikes in December targeting ISIS-linked militants and comes amid increased coordination between Abuja and the administration of Donald Trump. Trump has criticized Nigeria’s handling of extremist violence, accusing authorities of failing to protect Christian communities in parts of the northwest.
Nigeria has rejected those claims, maintaining that its security forces target armed groups regardless of religion. The country, Africa’s most populous with roughly 240 million people, is almost evenly divided between Muslims, predominantly in the north, and Christians, largely in the south.
Flight tracking data reviewed by Reuters showed multiple aircraft transporting U.S. personnel and equipment into northern Nigerian states in recent days. Earlier this month, Nigeria’s military indicated that up to 200 additional U.S. troops could arrive.
Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare said Nigeria requires “massive support” from the United States, including fighter jets and munitions, though he did not specify numbers or timelines.
Nigeria continues to face significant security challenges from extremist organizations and armed groups operating across its northern regions. The expanded U.S. presence underscores growing international involvement in stabilizing a region that remains critical to West African security.
