The United States is preparing to send military personnel to Nigeria to support the country’s armed forces with training and technical assistance, as security challenges deepen across parts of the country.
Nigerian defence authorities confirmed that the American troops will not take part in combat operations. Instead, they will focus on training and advisory roles, with Nigerian forces retaining full command.
In a statement, Major General Samaila Uba, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, said the deployment follows an invitation from the Nigerian government and builds on long-standing military cooperation between the two nations.
According to a US official quoted in international media reports, around 200 American personnel are expected to arrive. The move was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Nigeria has drawn increased attention from Washington in recent months. Former US President Donald Trump previously alleged that Christians in Nigeria were facing genocide, a claim rejected by Nigerian authorities. Security analysts have cautioned that the country’s violence is complex, involving multiple armed groups and affecting communities of different faiths.
In December, US forces carried out airstrikes targeting militants linked to the so-called Islamic State group in north-western Nigeria. More recently, the head of US Africa Command confirmed that a small number of American officers are already in the country providing intelligence support.
Nigeria continues to face a prolonged conflict involving a range of armed factions. These include Boko Haram and its breakaway group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), both of which have carried out deadly attacks for more than a decade. Other groups include Lakurawa, which has links to Islamic State, as well as criminal gangs often referred to locally as “bandits”, known for kidnappings and illegal mining activities.
The security situation has further deteriorated with the reported presence of militants from the wider Sahel region. Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an extremist group active in neighbouring countries, claimed responsibility for its first attack inside Nigeria last year.
According to United Nations data, thousands of people have lost their lives during the prolonged violence. Observers say the crisis remains severe, with many communities living in fear and displacement continuing in affected areas.
While Christians have been among those killed and abducted, analysts and local residents note that many of the victims in the largely Muslim northern region are themselves Muslim. Attacks often target villages indiscriminately, driven by insurgency, territorial control and criminal activity rather than faith alone.
The planned US deployment comes as Nigeria seeks additional support to strengthen its military response and stabilise regions affected by extremist violence.
Original reporting by Crux, rewritten for this publication.
