American Military Team Deployed To Nigeria, US General Says

In a significant shift in West African security policy, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), confirmed on February 3, 2026, that a small team of U.S. military personnel has been deployed to Nigeria. ​This marks the first official acknowledgment of American “boots on the ground” in Nigeria in years, following months of escalating tension and a series of dramatic military actions by the U.S.

The announcement was made during a press briefing where General Anderson outlined the nature of the mission:​The Mission: The team is described as “small” and focused on providing “unique capabilities” to augment Nigerian counter-terrorism efforts. ​Focus Areas: According to intelligence sources, the team is heavily involved in intelligence gathering and providing the technical support necessary for Nigerian forces to carry out precision strikes against terrorist groups. ​Locations: While exact coordinates are classified, operations are reportedly concentrated in the Northwest (Sokoto State) and the Northeast, where ISIS-affiliated groups and Boko Haram remain active.