US Moves Troops Into Nigeria Amid Escalating Violence Against Christians

The U.S. has deployed a contingent of troops to Nigeria as violence against Christian communities by Islamist militants continues to escalate.

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) chief General Dagvin R.M. Anderson confirmed Tuesday that American military officers are now operating on the ground in Nigeria, according to Reuters. Nigeria has faced mounting pressure from the U.S. over its failure to protect Christian citizens from what President Donald Trump has described as an “existential threat” from Islamic militants.

Anderson said the deployment followed a meeting with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in Rome late 2025, where both sides agreed more needed to be done to confront the region’s growing terrorist threat, the outlet reported.

“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations,” Anderson told reporters, explaining that the U.S. team brings “unique capabilities,” though he declined to specify when the personnel arrived or the size of the mission.

The deployment marks the latest step in the Trump administration’s expanding military engagement in Nigeria. In December, Trump ordered airstrikes against Islamic State–affiliated targets in the country and warned that additional U.S. action could follow.

At the time, Trump said the attack targeted “ISIS terrorist scum in northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries.”