TRUMP: 5 Nigerian States U.S Military Will Launch Attack (FULL LIST)

The U.S. Army has quietly begun ground operations in Nigeria’s most volatile regions, deploying specialized units to work alongside Nigerian forces in a broad campaign against Islamist insurgents and armed extremist networks, U.S. and Nigerian military sources say.

The move marks a significant escalation of American engagement in Nigeria’s long-running security crisis, following recent U.S. airstrikes against Islamic State-linked militants and the first public acknowledgment of American troops on Nigerian soil.

Broadening the Battlefield: Five States Under Focus

According to diplomatic and defense insiders familiar with the mission, U.S. Army personnel are now embedded with Nigerian military units in at least five key Nigerian states, where terrorist groups have established deep operational footholds and where joint operations are underway:

Sokoto State (North-West) — U.S. airstrikes on suspected Islamic State positions in late 2025 signalled the opening phase of deeper engagement, and U.S. Army teams are now working with Nigerian forces to track militants across dense border forests and desert margins.

Borno State (North-East) — The heartland of the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgency remains a central focus for U.S. military trainers, intelligence advisors, and special operations units supporting Operation Hadin Kai, the Nigerian Army’s main offensive.

Katsina State (North-West) — Long plagued by bandit raids and kidnappings, Katsina has emerged as a staging ground for extremist and criminal networks alike, drawing U.S. surveillance and tactical support to Nigerian ground operations.

Kaduna State (North-Central) — With its mix of communal violence and terrorist activity, Kaduna has become a priority zone where U.S. Army intelligence teams are helping map hostile networks and advise on targeted counter-terror actions.

Zamfara State (North-West) — Armed groups operate freely in parts of Zamfara, and Nigerian forces, augmented by U.S. Army reconnaissance and coordination assets, are conducting joint search-and-destroy missions aimed at disrupting supply lines and communications among militant cells.

What U.S. Forces Are Doing

While U.S. commanders have publicly described the deployed contingent as “small” and focused on specialized support activities, several functions are now underway on the ground:

Intelligence gathering and analysis to track extremist movements and facilitate precision operations.

Coordination with Nigerian command units, enhancing real-time battlefield awareness via shared surveillance and reconnaissance feeds.

Training and tactical advising embedded with local battalions to assist in planning and executing counter-terror missions.

Technical assistance including advanced communications, drone coordination, and logistical planning.

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has not disclosed troop numbers or full operational details, but officials stress the mission is in support of Nigerian sovereignty and designed to augment — not replace — Nigeria’s own forces.

Behind the Deployment

The escalation follows high-level talks between U.S. military leaders and Nigeria’s government in late 2025. General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, head of AFRICOM, confirmed the deployment as part of expanded cooperation aimed at tackling Boko Haram, ISWAP and allied groups that have killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.

Analysts say that the U.S. Army’s presence reflects Washington’s belief that remote support alone is insufficient against dynamic, decentralized militant networks that operate across wide swaths of Nigeria’s north.

Local and Regional Impacts

Nigeria’s authorities have publicly welcomed the enhanced cooperation, underscoring a shared interest in degrading extremist capabilities without compromising national control of operations. However, the presence of U.S. troops — even under a bilateral framework — has triggered controversy among critics who worry about sovereignty and the potential for civilian harm.

In Sokoto, joint air and ground operations have reportedly disrupted major terrorist plots and cleared some militant zones, though sporadic attacks continue to threaten remote communities.

Looking Ahead

As the U.S. Army accelerates its footprint in Nigeria’s security landscape, the campaign’s success will hinge on sustained coordination with Nigerian forces, nuanced understanding of local dynamics, and careful balance between offensive action and civilian protection.

With extremist groups evolving and expanding their networks, the next chapter in Nigeria’s fight against terror now includes one of the world’s most powerful militaries on the ground — a development with significant implications for regional stability.