The United States has announced plans to deploy 200 military personnel to Nigeria to assist in training the country’s armed forces, as Nigeria continues efforts to combat insurgency and terrorism in parts of the country.
According to a report by Reuters, a US official disclosed that the troops will reinforce existing American military personnel already operating in Nigeria under ongoing security cooperation arrangements.
The move comes amid strengthening security ties between Nigeria and the United States. The partnership has reportedly deepened following Nigeria’s redesignation by US President Donald Trump as a “country of particular concern” over allegations relating to religious violence.
Last week, Dagvin Anderson, commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), visited Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, where he met with senior Nigerian government and military officials, including President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Discussions during the visit focused on shared security priorities, particularly strategies for countering terrorist groups and enhancing regional stability.
Anderson confirmed that US forces already deployed in Nigeria are primarily engaged in intelligence gathering and operational support, though he did not specify the exact number of personnel involved.
The development follows recent military cooperation between both countries, including US missile strikes on terrorist targets in Sokoto State on Christmas Day — an operation Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said was based on intelligence sharing and bilateral coordination.
