US Military Deploys Forces to Nigeria to Tackle ISIS Threat!

US Military Deploys Forces to Nigeria to Tackle ISIS Threat!

Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi | Sele Media Africa Journalist

In a significant security development, the United States has officially confirmed the deployment of U.S. military forces to Nigeria, aimed at supporting counter-terrorism operations against ISIS-linked groups and other extremist threats.
According to the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), a small team of U.S. military personnel has been sent to Nigeria as part of expanded security cooperation with Abuja to confront ongoing militant attacks across the country.
AFRICOM Commander, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, disclosed the presence of the U.S. team following consultations between Washington and Nigerian authorities, stressing the need for enhanced coordination against terrorist groups, including ISIS affiliates and Boko Haram.
The deployment follows U.S. airstrikes conducted in December 2025 against Islamic State-linked militant positions in northwest Nigeria — the first such strikes in the region — and marks the first official acknowledgment of U.S. military boots on Nigerian soil since those operations.
While the exact size and operational scope of the deployed personnel remain undisclosed, officials say the mission is focused on intelligence support, advisory roles, and operational coordination, rather than large-scale combat engagement.
The development underscores growing military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, as both nations confront a long-running insurgency that has intensified in recent months. Public debate is expected to grow over the implications of foreign military involvement in Nigeria’s internal security efforts.

CITATION:
1.AP News https://apnews.com/article/b415141ca6ed27978ba52f081ca05405

2.Reuters https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/us-military-says-some-forces-have-been-dispatched-nigeria-2026-02-03/

3.TELL Magazine https://tell.ng/us-military-deployment-nigeria-counterterrorism/

4.Nairametrics https://nairametrics.com/2026/02/04/u-s-troops-deployed-to-nigeria-following-christmas-day-airstrikes/

5.Premium Times Nigeria https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/854214-insecurity-us-military-confirms-deployment-of-small-team-to-nigeria.html

About The Author

Mustapha Labake Omowumi

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Mustapha Labake Omowumi is a journalist from Ibadan, Oyo State, and a graduate of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Mathematics. He demonstrates a strong commitment to professional journalism, with a keen interest in writing and storytelling, guided by principles of self-discipline, accuracy, and trustworthiness.

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