According to the agency, this decision was the result of an agreement reached between the USA and Nigeria on the need for additional steps to combat the terrorist threat in West Africa. General Dagwin Anderson, who heads the African Command, noted that the military personnel have "unique capabilities," but did not disclose details of their mission or the scale of the deployment.
According to Reuters sources, American troops may assist in gathering intelligence, which will enable Nigerian forces to strike against terrorist groups. Earlier, US President Donald Trump criticized Nigeria for its inability to protect Christians from Islamic militants operating in the northwest of the country. In response, on December 25, 2025, the USA conducted an airstrike on ISIS positions in northwest Nigeria, which, according to military officials, was carried out "at the request of the Nigerian authorities."
