United States Deploys 200 Troops to Nigeria for Counterterrorism Training

The United States has deployed approximately 200 military personnel to Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s capacity to combat terrorism and violent extremism, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal published on Tuesday.

An American defence official quoted in the report said the deployment is aimed at training Nigerian security forces and enhancing their operational effectiveness against Islamist militant groups operating in parts of the country. The development comes weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticised Nigeria over what he described as inadequate protection of Christian communities affected by terrorist violence.

According to the report, the newly deployed troops will provide specialised training and operational support, complementing a smaller contingent of U.S. military advisers already present in Nigeria. These advisers have, for several years, worked with Nigerian forces by offering intelligence support to help identify and track terrorist targets.

Confirming closer military cooperation between both countries, the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R. Anderson, disclosed during a virtual briefing that recent high-level engagements had led to an expansion of collaboration. He revealed that discussions with Nigerian authorities, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, focused on addressing shared security challenges in the region.

“I was able to meet President Tinubu, and we shared thoughts on the security situation and agreed that we needed to work together on a way forward in the region,” Anderson said. “That has led to increased collaboration between our nations, including a small U.S. team that brings unique capabilities to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years.”

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has also addressed public speculation surrounding the deployment, stressing that the presence of U.S. troops does not amount to combat operations on Nigerian soil. In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the military clarified that the partnership with the United States is focused on capacity building and advisory support.

According to the statement, areas of cooperation include professional military education, intelligence sharing, logistics support, and strategic dialogue, all aimed at addressing terrorism and other transnational security threats. The Defence Headquarters further emphasised that all engagements with the United States are conducted within established bilateral frameworks and with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to state that Nigeria maintains a long-standing and structured security partnership with the United States,” the statement read, adding that recent media reports suggesting combat deployment were inaccurate.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu on Sunday received a high-level U.S. delegation at the State House in Abuja, led by General Anderson. The delegation also included the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Keith Heffern. The meeting focused on deepening defence cooperation and strengthening joint efforts to address regional and national security concerns.

The deployment underscores growing U.S.–Nigeria security collaboration amid rising concerns over terrorism, banditry, and insurgency across parts of the country.