No fewer than three United States military aircraft landed in Nigeria between Thursday and Friday, delivering ammunition to support local forces in the fight against insurgency.
Senior officers at the Defence Headquarters confirmed the development, describing it as part of US interventions to assist Nigeria in tackling insecurity.
“Following Nigeria-US bilateral talks on security, the American government will not only deploy soldiers but also provide necessary logistics, including ammunition, to fight the insurgents,” one officer said on condition of anonymity. Another added, “The US and the Nigerian government, under the coordination of the NSA, are working together to end insecurity in the country. So, we should expect more deployments of aircraft and troops.”
The New York Times reported that the planes arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Thursday night, with equipment being offloaded.
“These initial flights are the vanguard of what will be a stream of C-17 transport flights into three main locations across Nigeria,” a US Department of Defense official said.
Social media accounts tracking military movements also noted US aircraft landing at Kaduna International Airport and Maiduguri Airbase, fuelling speculation of potential training hubs for Nigerian forces.
Reacting to the development, retired Nigerian Army intelligence officer Chris Andrew said the arrival of US personnel should not be seen as combat deployment.
“They are not bringing combat troops. What they are doing is teaching us how to carry out operations with precision,” he said, noting that advanced drone training and technical expertise were the main focus.
Security expert Chidi Omeje described the engagement as a success of Nigeria’s diplomacy. “Any support that enhances Nigeria’s capacity should be welcomed. If this partnership helps us stamp out terrorism and violent crime, then it is acceptable. People at the receiving end just want their lives back,” he said.
The US previously carried out an airstrike on Islamic State fighters in Sokoto State on Christmas Day 2025 and has since deepened security collaboration with Nigeria, including deploying advisers, intelligence analysts, and trainers.
