US Troops Deployment to Nigeria: 200 American Soldiers to Focus on Training, Not Combat, Military Confirms

Nigeria’s military has confirmed that approximately 200 United States troops expected to arrive in the country in the coming weeks will not engage in combat operations, but will instead focus strictly on training and advisory roles.

The deployment follows remarks from US officials that the Pentagon plans to support Nigerian forces battling Islamist insurgents through technical assistance. Nigerian authorities have stressed that operational control will remain entirely in Abuja’s hands.

Nigeria Retains Full Operational Control

Speaking to Reuters, Major General Samaila Uba, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, said the US presence was requested by Abuja to strengthen technical capacity and provide specialised training at multiple locations.

He emphasised that Nigerian forces would retain complete authority over all security decisions.

The announcement comes amid heightened security concerns in parts of northern Nigeria, where troops continue to confront armed groups linked to extremist movements.

US Confirms Military Presence

The United States Department of Defense confirmed last week that it had dispatched a small advance team to Nigeria, marking Washington’s first public acknowledgment of personnel on the ground since airstrikes conducted on Christmas Day.

Those strikes were ordered by Donald Trump, who said they targeted Islamic State-linked militants operating in the region.

A US official earlier indicated that the upcoming troop deployment would expand cooperation between both countries, focusing on capacity-building rather than direct engagement in hostilities.

Strengthening Military Cooperation

Nigeria and the United States have maintained security ties for years, particularly in counterterrorism efforts against insurgent groups in West Africa. The latest move signals a renewed phase of collaboration aimed at improving operational effectiveness through training, logistics support and advisory services.

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, has previously underscored the importance of international partnerships in enhancing troop preparedness and intelligence coordination.

While the presence of US troops may raise sensitivities domestically, military authorities insist the arrangement is limited in scope and designed purely to bolster Nigeria’s fight against insurgency without foreign forces participating in frontline combat.

Further details about deployment locations and duration have not been disclosed.