By Luka Binniyat and Onibiyo Segun
(Abuja) Nigeria – The United States African Command (AFRICOM) has confirmed that “a small US military team that brings capabilities from the United States” is already on ground in Nigeria.
In a virtual news briefing by General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, U.S Air Force Commander, Africa Command (AFRICOM) Tuesday February 3, 2026, told the press that he had met with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu late last year in Rome, through the “Archibald Process” and had agreed on a collaboration that would bring in a small US military team into Nigeria.
Anderson did not state when the US military team arrived in Nigeria, their number and what specific duties were assigned to them.
However, the Nigerian government has however confirmed the arrival of the “small team” without giving further details.
“The best example with that is the partnership we are able to have with Nigeria,” Gen. Anderson said to the media via Africa Regional Media Hub on #SoundCloud on the collaboration of AFRICOM with African countries b.
“I was able to meet with President Tinubu in Rome through the Archibald Process late last year,’ he said without giving a definite date.
The Archibald Process is a diplomatic–military channel used by the United States (mainly through AFRICOM, the U.S. State Department, and intelligence agencies) and Nigeria’s top security leadership to coordinate sensitive counter-terrorism cooperation without public fanfare.
“We were able to share some thoughts, and we agreed that we needed to work together in the region,” he said.
“And that has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US military team that brings capabilities from the United States to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years.
“And I think we have a really good partnership there,” he affirmed.
‘My deputy (Lieutenant General John W. Brennan) was just there with a high delegation from the State Department, led by Allison Hooker, in order to look at how to move forward together,” he said .
The announcement followed a mutual agreement between United States and Nigerian officials to enhance counterterrorism cooperation, coming weeks after a U.S. airstrike targeting Islamic State-linked Lakurawa operatives on Nigerian soil.
A Long, Cautious Security Partnership
The deployment builds on years of U.S.–Nigeria security cooperation. Since Boko Haram’s 2009 uprising, Washington has supported Nigeria through military training programs, intelligence exchanges, arms sales, and regional stabilization initiatives.
U.S. assistance has included intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets, counter-IED training, and special forces instruction.
For much of the past decade, however, American involvement remained indirect, with U.S. troops operating from neighboring countries or providing remote support.
The presence of American military personnel on Nigerian soil, combined with recent direct U.S. air operations signals a more forward operational posture than previously acknowledged.
Nigeria’s Official Position on U.S. Support
Nigeria’s federal government welcomed U.S. assistance but emphasized that all operations remain under Nigerian command and authority.
Officials said the collaboration is designed to strengthen intelligence fusion, enhance aerial surveillance, and dismantle transnational terror-financing networks while preserving national sovereignty.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar described the partnership as “a sovereign decision taken to protect Nigerian lives,” while stressing that Nigeria would not permit permanent foreign military bases on its territory.
Nigeria’s defense Minister, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), also endorsed the partnership, describing it as a force-multiplier aimed at closing intelligence gaps and degrading terrorist mobility.
Military officials have said the collaboration enhances operational capacity while keeping command authority firmly in Nigerian hands.
U.S. Airstrike in Sokoto
On December 25, 2025, the United States conducted an airstrike on a terrorist enclave in Sokoto State, targeting Islamic State-linked operatives believed to be planning cross-border attacks.
AFRICOM said the strike was carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities and aimed at disrupting imminent threats. It marked the first publicly acknowledged U.S. kinetic operation on Nigerian soil in years.
Controversy Over Casualties
Unofficial statements detailing the casualties suffered by targeted terrorists on the Christmas day bombings has generated controversy.
The Minister of Defense, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) has insisted that indeed the Tomahawk missiles that hit the Tangaza forest hideout of the terrorists killed many of them.
“The nature of the technology used in that Tomahawk missile is such that if it hits its targeted area, the nature of the casualties is always in a way that you cannot account for the bodies,” he said on Arise Television, January 16, 2026.
“We killed many of them,” he insisted.
But some media have disputed the claims, saying that checks on ground showed the contrary.
Humananglemedia.com, which prides itself on thorough investigation, reported that the terrorists were alerted at least two hours before the bombing took place, prompting most to flee. The online media said that the bombing killed no terrorists.
Experts Weigh In
Security analysts say the deployment reflects a strategic recalibration rather than full-scale foreign intervention.
“This signals a shift from distant assistance to an actionable intelligence partnership,” Dr. Sarah Okoye, a counterinsurgency researcher told TruthNigeria.
Dr. Sarah warned that transparency will be critical to public trust.
“U.S. ISR capabilities could dramatically reduce terrorist mobility, but Nigerian forces must remain visibly in charge to avoid legitimacy backlash”, Retired Major-General Adewale Balogun, said.
“Airstrikes and advisors degrade cells,” Professor Emmanuel Nyarko, an international defense scholar based in Abuja said.
Prof Nyarko added: “But poverty, displacement, and political exclusion regenerate them.”
What Comes Next?
The renewed U.S.–Nigeria security alignment represents a calculated gamble: enhanced counterterrorism capacity weighed against domestic sensitivity over foreign troop presence.
With terrorist groups growing bolder and more lethal, Nigerian authorities appear willing to deepen cooperation so long as sovereignty remains intact.
Whether the partnership delivers lasting security or ignites fresh controversy will depend on results on the ground, civilian protection, and transparency from both governments.
Luka Binniyat and Onibiyo Segun report on terrorism and conflicts for TruthNigeria from Kaduna and Abuja respectively.
