The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the arrival of approximately 100 United States military personnel, along with related equipment, at the Bauchi Airfield.
The deployment forms part of expanded defence collaboration designed to enhance Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
In a statement released on Monday, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the move followed formal discussions between Nigerian and U.S. defence authorities and was undertaken at the request of the Federal Government of Nigeria. “The arrival is planned and deliberate following a formal request by the Federal Government of Nigeria to the U.S. government to support clearly defined military training requirements, technical support and intelligence sharing,” the statement said.
Major General Uba emphasised that the U.S. military personnel are technical specialists deployed strictly in advisory and training roles.
They are not combat soldiers and will operate under the authority and direction of the Nigerian government, working in close coordination with the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
The DHQ said the collaboration will grant Nigerian forces access to specialised technical expertise designed to enhance operational readiness, improve intelligence sharing, and strengthen efforts to detect, deter and neutralise extremist groups responsible for insecurity across the country.
Major General Uba further announced that Nigerian troops, alongside their U.S. counterparts, will begin joint training exercises and intelligence-focused engagements in the coming weeks.