US deploys 100 soldiers to Nigeria as attacks by armed groups surge

The US soldiers will not have a combat role and are to operate under the full command authority of Nigeria’s military.Published On 16 Feb 2026The United States has sent 100 military personnel to northern Nigeria to train and advise local forces, as deadly threats rise from armed groups such as Boko Haram and ISIL (ISIS)-linked factions.Samaila Uba, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters spokesman, confirmed the US troops’ arrival in the northeastern area of Bauchi on Monday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Death toll in northern Nigeria attack by gunmen rises to 46, says reportlist 2 of 4Do Donald Trump’s strikes in Nigeria serve any purpose?list 3 of 4Nigerian police confirm gunmen abducted villagers, after initial denialslist 4 of 4Gunmen kill nearly 200 people in Nigeria’s Kwara and Katsina statesend of listHe said they will provide “technical support” and “intelligence sharing” to help target and defeat “terrorist organisations”. The US also sent “associated equipment” to support the mission.Uba stressed that the US soldiers will not play a direct combat role, but will share technical expertise under the full command authority of Nigerian forces.“The armed forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to degrading and defeating terrorist organisations that threaten the country’s sovereignty, national security, and the safety of its citizens,” said the military spokesman in comments carried by Nigeria’s Premium Times newspaper.Last weekend, gunmen on motorcycles rampaged through three villages in northern Nigeria, killing at least 46 people and abducting many others. The bloodiest attack happened in the village of Konkoso, in Niger State, where at least 38 people were shot dead or had their throats slit.Protracted fightThe US deployment follows an easing of tensions that flared between Washington and Nigeria late last year, when US President Donald Trump accused the country of failing to stop killings against Christians and threatened to intervene militarily.The Nigerian government has rejected Trump’s accusation, and analysts say people across all faiths, not just Christians, are victims of armed groups’ violence