100 US military personnel, equipment arrive Bauchi
About 100 United States military personnel, along with associated equipment, have arrived at Bauchi Airfield to support the Nigerian Armed Forces in training, technical assistance, and intelligence cooperation, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Monday. The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, in a statement, said the deployment is part of ongoing Nigeria–US […]
About 100 United States military personnel, along with associated equipment, have arrived at Bauchi Airfield to support the Nigerian Armed Forces in training, technical assistance, and intelligence cooperation, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Monday.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, in a statement, said the deployment is part of ongoing Nigeria–US defence collaboration, following discussions during a recent working group engagement between both countries’ military delegations.
“The arrival of the US personnel is planned and deliberate, based on a formal request by the Federal Government of Nigeria for support in addressing clearly defined military training needs,” the DHQ said.
He said the collaboration aims to provide access to specialised technical capabilities to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to deter terrorist threats and protect vulnerable communities nationwide.
Major General Uba stressed that the US personnel are technical specialists serving strictly in an advisory and training capacity—not combat troops—and that all activities will be conducted under the authority, direction, and control of the Nigerian government in close coordination with the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The DHQ added that Nigerian troops, alongside the US advisers, will undertake a series of joint training exercises and intelligence-focused cooperation initiatives designed to enhance the capacity of troops to identify, counter, and neutralise extremist groups seeking to destabilise the country.
“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,” the statement said, assuring Nigerians of transparency and timely information regarding the cooperation.
Last week, United States military aircraft started landing in Nigeria, signaling the start of a new security cooperation phase between the US and Nigeria.
According to US officials, the steady flow of aircraft is expected to continue over the next several weeks as part of a temporary mission supporting targeted counterterrorism efforts.
On February 10, American and Nigerian officials told the media that about 200 US soldiers would be deployed to Nigeria in advisory and training roles, reinforcing the broader security cooperation framework.
The move would add to a small US team already in Nigeria after the first publicly acknowledged US ground presence since carrying out strikes on Christmas Day.
The troops are expected to provide training and technical support to the Nigerian military in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
Trump has said there could be more US military action in Nigeria, while Reuters has reported that the United States had been conducting surveillance flights over the country from Ghana since at least late November.
‘Christian genocide’
Relations between Nigeria and the United States shifted after Trump late last year threatened to enter Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” to avenge what he has called a “Christian genocide”.
Weeks later, on Christmas Day, US Navy warships, aided by Nigerian intelligence, launched 16 Tomahawk missiles at what Trump said was the “terrorist scum” responsible for killing Nigerian Christians.
Nigeria has come under intense pressure from the United States to act after Trump alleged the country was failing to protect Christians from bandits operating in the northwest.
The Nigerian government denies any systematic persecution of Christians, saying it is targeting terrorists and other armed groups that attack and kill both Christians and Muslims.
US Africa Command, the US military command responsible for operations in Africa, said it was helping Nigeria in its campaign against several extremist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State’s West Africa Province.
JIBWIS leader urges FG to clarify US-Nigeria military ties
The National Leader of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Ikamatis Sunnah (Jibwis), Abdullahi Bala Lau, has called on the federal government to come clean on agreements reached with the United States regarding the deployment of American soldiers in Nigeria.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Bala Lau said the US, being a global power with vast intelligence networks, should verify information about Nigeria carefully rather than relying on politicised narratives.
“Even the US knows very well that Muslims are at the receiving end of this terror. Muslims are being killed more than any other group. Our hope is to see the end of these carnages,” he said.
The cleric cautioned against politicising the issue, insisting that claims of genocide against Christians do not reflect realities on the ground.
He suggested that such narratives may be driven by political agendas.
He further dismissed insinuations that Muslim leaders have been silent, noting that both the Sultan of Sokoto and JIBWIS leaders have consistently countered the genocide narrative.
Bala Lau emphasised that the protection of citizens remains the responsibility of the Nigerian government, not foreign powers, and urged transparency in disclosing the terms of any military cooperation with the US.