…U.S. and Nigerian officials stated that the drones and troops are focused on providing intelligence and training assistance.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The United States has sent several MQ-9 drones and about 200 troops to Nigeria to support the military with intelligence gathering and training in its ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the north.
The mission is limited to surveillance and advisory roles, with no United States personnel involved in frontline combat and no drone strikes being carried out.
U.S. and Nigerian officials told Reuters that the drones and troops are focused on providing intelligence and training assistance. The deployment, according to Reuters, was made at Nigeria’s request to improve efforts to detect, monitor, and respond to terrorist threats.
A United States defence official described the situation as a shared security concern, stressing that the role of American forces is strictly non-combat and centred on intelligence and advisory support.
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters confirmed the presence of United States personnel, with Major General Samaila Uba stating that they are operating from an airfield in Bauchi in the northeast.
He added that the collaboration builds on a recently established U.S.-Nigeria intelligence fusion cell, which is supplying actionable intelligence to commanders in the field, while U.S. personnel remain in non-combat roles supporting Nigerian-led operations.
Although MQ-9 drones, also known as Reaper drones are capable of both surveillance and strike missions and can stay airborne for over 27 hours, officials emphasised that those deployed in Nigeria are being used solely for intelligence gathering.
The deployment comes amid rising violence in the northeast and northwest, including a recent suicide bombing attack on March 16 that highlighted the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP.
Uba noted that these groups may continue to target vulnerable locations and stage high-profile attacks to assert their presence.
The Nigerian military said the duration of the U.S. mission will be determined jointly by both countries, reflecting a growing emphasis on intelligence sharing and capacity building to address evolving security threats.
The move follows earlier U.S. airstrikes carried out on Christmas Day under President Donald Trump, targeting ISIS-linked militants in northwest Nigeria as part of a broader international counterterrorism effort.
Earlier reports in February also indicated that about 200 U.S. troops had been deployed to Nigeria to enhance training and operational support, particularly in strengthening the country’s counterterrorism capabilities.
