Nigeria has confirmed the arrival of an additional 100 U.S. military personnel as Washington intensifies cooperation aimed at combating Islamist insurgents in the country’s troubled northern region.
According to Major General Samaila Uba, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, the newly arrived troops will focus on training and advising Nigerian forces rather than participating directly in combat operations.
Their deployment forms part of a broader U.S. effort to strengthen Nigeria’s intelligence and operational capabilities against extremist groups.
The reinforcement follows U.S. airstrikes in December targeting militants linked to the Islamic State. A small American military team has since been operating in Nigeria to enhance intelligence gathering and coordination.
Flight tracking data reviewed by Reuters showed several aircraft transporting U.S. troops and equipment to northern Nigeria in recent days. Earlier this month, Nigeria’s military indicated it was expecting as many as 200 additional U.S. personnel as part of the expanded collaboration.
The development comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions. U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Nigeria of failing to adequately protect Christians from attacks by Islamist militants in the northwest. Nigerian authorities have rejected the claim, maintaining that security forces target armed groups regardless of religious affiliation and protect both Christian and Muslim communities.
Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare stated that Nigeria requires substantial support from Washington, particularly in the form of fighter jets and munitions, though he did not provide specific figures or timelines.
Nigeria, home to roughly 240 million people, is almost evenly divided between a predominantly Christian south and a largely Muslim north. While the government acknowledges significant security challenges posed by extremist groups, it continues to deny allegations of widespread or systematic persecution of Christians.
The expanded U.S. presence signals deepening military cooperation as Nigeria grapples with persistent insurgency and broader national security concerns.