US deploys small military team to Nigeria

Washington has confirmed the deployment of a small military team to Nigeria on February 3rd, as reported by Africa News and agencies on February 4th.

According to the head of the US Africa Command, the move was in cooperation with the Nigerian government; its purpose is to strengthen efforts in countering terrorist threats in northern Nigeria, which faces a considerable terrorist threat from jihadist groups like Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State in Western Province (ISWAP).

The Nigerian Defence Minister has confirmed the presence of US troops, though no further details have been provided. It was reported on January 26th that Washington and Abuja sought to increase military cooperation amid the rising threat of jihadist violence in the Sahel region.

US Lieutenant General John Brennan stated in January that, “[the US has] gotten a lot more aggressive and [is] working with partners to target, kinetically, the threats, mainly ISIS.”

The presence of US personnel in Nigeria is likely tied to accusations made by US President Donald Trump that a so-called “Christian genocide” is being perpetrated in Nigeria by Islamist groups, despite independent analysts and human rights organisations finding no evidence of widespread Christian persecution.

Groups like Boko Haram, which was established in 2009, have been operating in northern Nigeria, particularly the Borno State, for over a decade.

Both Boko Haram and ISWAP are affiliated with the Islamic State and have conducted numerous attacks in Nigeria, killing thousands of people.

With its name roughly translating to “Western education is a sin”, Boko Haram has sought to impose an Islamic Caliphate in Nigeria, which would operate under Sharia Law; this objective is shared by Boko Haram’s splinter group, ISWAP.

Violence in the Borno State has forced at least 5,000 people to flee into neighbouring Cameroon as of October 2025, as jihadist fighters seized towns, set homes ablaze and attacked local civilians.

As a result of Boko Haram’s presence, some towns have essentially become militarised zones, where access to vital resources, such as food supplies and medical care, is heavily restricted.

However, Boko Haram’s presence is not limited to Nigeria, as the jihadist group’s influence has expanded into neighbouring countries, such as Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

Africa News and agencies, Maghrebi.org