The United States is preparing to deploy about 200 troops to Nigeria to train and support the country’s military in its fight against Islamist insurgents, according to a U.S. official. The move comes weeks after President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on what he described as Islamic State targets in Nigeria.
Last week, the U.S. military confirmed it had sent a small team of personnel to Nigeria, though it did not disclose the number involved. This marked the first official confirmation of American troops on Nigerian soil since U.S. air operations were carried out on Christmas Day.
President Trump has indicated that further military action could follow. Reuters also reported that the U.S. has been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from Ghana since at least late November.
The planned deployment of 200 troops is expected to reinforce a limited number of U.S. military personnel already stationed in the country to assist Nigerian forces. U.S. Africa Command has not yet issued a formal response regarding the development.
Nigeria has faced mounting pressure from Washington after Trump accused the government of failing to adequately protect Christians from Islamist militants in the northwest. Nigerian authorities have rejected claims of systematic religious persecution, insisting that security operations target armed groups responsible for attacks on both Christians and Muslims.
