The United States has sent a small contingent of military personnel to Nigeria in response to a surge of attacks on Christian communities by Islamist militants, officials confirmed Tuesday.
General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), said the deployment strengthens collaboration with Nigerian forces and provides specialized capabilities to combat extremist threats.
This marks the first public acknowledgment of U.S. personnel operating on the ground since targeted airstrikes on Christmas Day 2025, which hit Islamic State–affiliated strongholds in Sokoto State.
Those strikes were aimed at ISIS–West Africa and Boko Haram militants responsible for repeated killings, kidnappings, and attacks on Christian populations and local Muslim civilians.
Anderson described the deployment as a strategic partnership.
“This has led to increased collaboration between our nations, including a small U.S. team that brings unique capabilities to augment Nigerian efforts,” he said, declining to provide additional operational details.
The American personnel are primarily tasked with intelligence support and enabling Nigerian forces to conduct precise operations against terrorist-affiliated groups, according to Reuters.
The deployment follows a late-2025 meeting in Rome between President Donald Trump and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, during which both leaders stressed the need for decisive action against the growing insurgency.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned, “Either the Nigerian government protects Christians, or we will target the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
The administration also designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, restricting visas for individuals accused of aiding militant groups and signaling Washington’s commitment to defending religious freedom abroad, according to The Daily Caller.
Nigeria continues to face a persistent insurgency. Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Fulani militias have intensified attacks in the northwest and northeast, abducting civilians and targeting churches.
Coordinated assaults on three churches in Kaduna State last month resulted in more than 150 worshippers being taken captive, many of whom remain missing.
While the Nigerian government rejects claims of systematic Christian persecution, arguing that extremist violence affects all civilians, the Trump administration emphasizes the disproportionate impact on Christians.
President Trump has described the wave of attacks as an “existential threat” and has repeatedly pledged decisive U.S. action to protect religious minorities, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Defense Minister Christopher Musa confirmed the presence of American personnel but provided no operational details.
Officials emphasize that local cooperation is critical for precision operations and minimizing civilian risk. U.S. forces are working closely with Nigerian authorities to maximize the effectiveness of security measures.
The deployment represents a broader U.S. approach of focused, limited military engagement.
By providing intelligence and specialized support, the United States aids an allied nation in neutralizing terrorist threats while avoiding large-scale troop commitments.
This strategy prioritizes the protection of Christians and reinforces regional stability.
As Nigeria confronts mounting pressure to curb extremist activity, Washington’s involvement highlights a conservative foreign policy principle: defending religious minorities while supporting allied nations in the fight against extremism.
The presence of U.S. personnel underscores the Trump administration’s emphasis on counterterrorism, international religious freedom, and decisive action against groups targeting innocent civilians.
