The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja has confirmed the arrival of about 100 United States military personnel and related equipment at Bauchi Airfield as part of ongoing defence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
In a statement signed by Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, the DHQ said the deployment followed deliberations during a working group engagement between Nigerian and US delegations.
It explained that the presence of the US personnel was based on a formal request by the Federal Government of Nigeria seeking support in clearly defined areas of military training, technical assistance and intelligence sharing.
According to the DHQ, the collaboration is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and enhancing the operational capacity of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
It noted that the US personnel are not combat troops but technical specialists serving strictly in advisory and training roles.
All activities, it said, will be conducted under the authority, direction and control of the Nigerian government and in close coordination with Nigerian military leadership.
The statement added that Nigerian troops will begin a series of joint training engagements and intelligence-focused cooperation initiatives with the US advisers.
These efforts are designed to improve the ability of Nigerian forces to identify and neutralise extremist groups threatening national stability and vulnerable communities.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to defeating terrorist organisations and safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and citizens.
The DHQ also assured Nigerians of transparency and the provision of accurate and timely information regarding the military cooperation.
Earlier reports indicated that up to 200 US troops could be deployed to Nigeria to expand training and technical support efforts. Officials from both countries have stressed that the personnel will not participate in direct combat operations.
The deployment marks a further expansion of military cooperation between Washington and Abuja as Nigeria continues its fight against insurgency and terrorism.
