US to Deploy 200 Troops to Nigeria to Train Armed Forces Against Terrorist Groups

The United States will deploy 200 troops to Nigeria to provide training, technical guidance, and intelligence support to the Nigerian armed forces in their fight against terrorist groups. The deployment, requested by Nigeria, will complement existing US personnel and aims to improve coordination of air and ground operations. Outgoing tensions over allegations of religious persecution have not affected this growing military collaboration.

The United States is set to deploy 200 troops to Nigeria to support the country’s armed forces in their ongoing fight against terrorist groups, Nigerian and US officials confirmed on Tuesday. This deployment represents a significant step in deepening military cooperation between Washington and Abuja, as Nigeria continues to face persistent and widespread security challenges that have affected both the northeast and northwest regions of the country.
Major General Samaila Uba, a spokesman for Nigeria's Defense Headquarters, explained to AFP that the incoming US troops will provide training and technical assistance to Nigerian forces. "We are getting US troops to assist in training and technical support," he said, emphasizing that their role will be to guide and enhance operational effectiveness rather than participate directly in combat operations.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the planned deployment, noting that it will complement a small team of US personnel already in Nigeria, who have been assisting in the coordination of air strike targeting for Nigerian military operations. The additional troops are expected to arrive within the coming weeks and will offer expertise in synchronizing operations that involve both air strikes and ground forces simultaneously. According to the report, the expanded US presence aims to strengthen Nigeria’s capabilities in counterterrorism operations and improve coordination across different branches of its armed forces.
A spokeswoman for US Africa Command confirmed the report to AFP, reiterating the focus on training, technical guidance, and intelligence sharing rather than combat engagement.
The deployment comes amid ongoing diplomatic pressure from the United States over insecurity in Nigeria. US President Donald Trump has previously described the situation in Nigeria as "persecution" and "genocide" against Christians. While there are documented attacks targeting Christian communities, Muslims have also suffered large-scale killings. Massad Boulos, Trump’s senior advisor on Arab and African affairs, stated last year that Boko Haram and Daesh terrorists "are killing more Muslims than Christians," highlighting the broader sectarian and regional dynamics of violence in the country. The Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims that Christians are being specifically persecuted, framing the unrest as part of a wider challenge of state capacity and governance. Independent analysts also point out that the violence is largely due to systemic failures in curbing the activities of terrorist groups and armed gangs, particularly in sparsely governed rural areas where state authority is weak or absent.
Despite these diplomatic tensions, Nigeria and the United States have identified mutual interests in strengthening military collaboration. In December, a joint operation was conducted in northwest Sokoto state, where US-provided intelligence supported Nigerian air strikes against terrorist targets. Moving forward, US forces have committed to supplying further intelligence for air operations and assisting with expedited arms procurement to enhance Nigeria’s operational readiness.
Major General Uba stressed that the new contingent of 200 US troops will not participate in direct combat but will provide critical guidance, training, and coordination support. The deployment follows a formal request from the Nigerian government for increased assistance, highlighting Nigeria’s desire to leverage international expertise to bolster its national security infrastructure.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, continues to face complex security challenges. In the northeast, long-standing terrorism, primarily driven by Boko Haram and associated groups, remains a major threat. In the northwest, non-ideological armed gangs, often referred to as "bandits," carry out kidnappings for ransom, loot villages, and create widespread instability. The combination of insurgent terrorism and criminal armed groups has created a multi-dimensional security crisis, necessitating both domestic reforms and international cooperation. The upcoming deployment of US troops is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to plan and execute coordinated operations, enhance intelligence sharing, and provide technical expertise to its armed forces in counterterrorism and security operations across the country.