The United States has deployed multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones along with about 200 troops to Nigeria to support the country’s military in tackling insurgency across the northern region.
According to officials from both the U.S. and Nigeria, the mission is focused strictly on intelligence gathering and training, with no involvement of American personnel in direct combat operations.
“The U.S. military has multiple MQ-9 drones operating in Nigeria alongside 200 troops to provide training and intelligence support to the military,” officials told Reuters.
The deployment, requested by Nigerian authorities, is aimed at improving the identification, tracking, and response to terrorist threats.
“We see this as a shared security threat,” a U.S. defence official said, stressing that the operation is limited to surveillance and advisory roles.
Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information at Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, confirmed that U.S. personnel are operating from an airfield in Bauchi State.
“This support builds on the newly established U.S.-Nigeria intelligence fusion cell, which continues to deliver actionable intelligence to our field commanders. Our U.S. partners remain in a strictly non-combat role, enabling operations led by Nigerian authorities,” he said.
The MQ-9 drones, widely known for their long endurance of over 27 hours, are capable of conducting both surveillance and strike missions. However, officials clarified that those currently deployed in Nigeria are being used solely for intelligence purposes.
“Our US forces are helping Nigeria identify, track and respond to terrorist threats,” Uba added, without providing further operational details.
The development comes amid rising insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, particularly in the northeast and northwest regions, where groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Provincecontinue to pose threats.
“We continue to assess that these organisations will seek opportunistic targets and may attempt to demonstrate relevance through high-visibility attacks,” Uba said.
The Nigerian military noted that the duration of the U.S. deployment would be determined jointly by both countries, highlighting a growing focus on intelligence-sharing and capacity-building to counter evolving security challenges.
The move follows earlier U.S. military actions, including airstrikes ordered by Donald Trump targeting ISIS-linked militants in northwest Nigeria, as part of a broader security partnership between both nations.
Previous reports had indicated that the deployment of American troops was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism capabilities through enhanced training programmes and intelligence support.
What you should know
The deployment of U.S. drones and troops signals deeper military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in combating insurgency.
While American forces are not directly involved in combat, their intelligence and training support could significantly improve Nigeria’s operational effectiveness.
This partnership reflects growing international concern over terrorism in West Africa, particularly the activities of Boko Haram and ISWAP, and highlights a strategic shift toward intelligence-driven counterterrorism efforts.
