The United States is making plans to deploy an additional 200 troops to Nigeria to strengthen security cooperation and support the country’s fight against insurgency, according to a report by The New York Times.
The proposed deployment would add to the small contingent of U.S. special forces already operating in Nigeria, where they have been assisting local troops with intelligence and counterterrorism coordination.
Last week, the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson, confirmed that a U.S. team of experts had already been dispatched to Nigeria following high-level engagements between both countries.
“I was able to meet President Tinubu. We were able to share some thoughts and agree 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 from the United States to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years,” he added.
According to The New York Times, the additional 200 troops, once deployed, will not participate in direct combat operations but will instead focus on training and technical assistance.
“The U.S. troops will be assigned to locations across Nigeria to provide training and technical expertise,” a U.S. official was quoted as saying.
“The troops will augment a small team of U.S. forces who have been in the West African nation for weeks assisting local soldiers with identifying potential terrorist targets for strikes using American and Nigerian intelligence.”
The deepening security cooperation comes amid heightened U.S. attention on Nigeria following President Donald Trump’s decision late last year to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over allegations of religious persecution.
Trump had previously threatened possible action against Nigeria and directed the Pentagon to prepare for potential measures. The Nigerian government denied the allegations, prompting President Bola Tinubu to dispatch a high-level delegation led by National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu to Washington for diplomatic engagement.
In December, an American delegation led by Congressman Riley Moore—tasked by Trump with investigating alleged genocide against Christians—visited Nigeria and held meetings with victims of insecurity.
Security collaboration between both nations reportedly intensified around the Christmas Day airstrikes on ISIS-linked targets in Sokoto State. According to reports, U.S. surveillance aircraft operating from Ghana conducted aerial reconnaissance over contested areas in Nigeria and relayed intelligence to joint American and Nigerian military analysts to support precision targeting.
Gen. Anderson has since met with senior Nigerian officials, while his deputy, Lt. Gen. John Brennan, visited Abuja last month to announce an expanded military partnership between the two countries.
President Tinubu also hosted top U.S. security officials at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last week, signaling what analysts describe as a new phase of strategic security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
