US Deploys Military Specialists to Nigeria to Support Fight Against ISIS

STUTTGART / ABUJA — The United States has deployed a small team of military specialists to Nigeria to support the country’s ongoing fight against Islamic extremist groups, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed on Tuesday.

The deployment follows recent high-level discussions between U.S. military leadership and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during which Abuja approved limited U.S. airstrikes targeting militant groups operating within Nigeria’s borders.

AFRICOM commander Air Force General Dagvin Anderson announced the move during a virtual press briefing from the command’s headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, describing it as part of expanded security cooperation between the two countries.

“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations, including a small U.S. team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years,” Anderson said.

Growing Security Concerns in West Africa

Nigeria has battled violent insurgencies for more than a decade, particularly in its northern regions, where Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and al-Qaeda-linked groups have carried out attacks on civilians, security forces, and infrastructure.

While Christian communities have frequently been targeted, security analysts note that Muslims have also been victims, underscoring the complex and indiscriminate nature of the conflict.

The recent U.S. involvement comes amid wider concern about extremist groups expanding their influence across West Africa, particularly as political instability and military coups have reshaped the region’s security landscape.

US Military Presence Adjusts After Niger Withdrawal

The deployment to Nigeria follows AFRICOM’s withdrawal from Niger in 2024, after a military coup forced the United States to abandon key bases that had served as counterterrorism hubs in the Sahel.

Although General Anderson did not directly link the Nigeria deployment to the loss of those bases, he stressed that AFRICOM’s strategy now relies heavily on coordinating with regional partners rather than maintaining a large on-the-ground footprint.

Nigeria Airstrikes and US Political Attention

The issue has also drawn attention from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has previously criticised the violence in northern Nigeria and cited attacks on Christian communities as a major concern.

Following airstrikes carried out on Christmas Day, Trump issued a statement warning extremist groups against continued attacks, framing the strikes as a decisive response to militant violence.

Somalia Cited as Counterterrorism Model

As an example of progress elsewhere on the continent, Anderson pointed to ongoing operations in Somalia, where AFRICOM has intensified airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia in coordination with local partners.

According to AFRICOM, the campaign — combining air power, surveillance, and logistical support — has significantly restricted the group’s operational capacity, forcing its leadership into remote mountainous areas. A fresh strike was conducted last week, marking the latest in an expanded series of operations.

“It’s collapsed the area that ISIS has been able to operate in and is quite literally keeping them underground,” Anderson said.

A Delicate Balance

While the presence of U.S. military specialists signals deeper cooperation, both Washington and Abuja have emphasised that Nigeria retains control of its security operations, with U.S. support focused on advisory, intelligence, and specialised capabilities.

The development reflects a broader shift in U.S. counterterrorism strategy in Africa — prioritising partnerships, targeted support, and regional coordination over large-scale deployments.