…DHQ insists Nigerian forces retain full operational control
Three United States military cargo aircraft have arrived in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, marking the commencement of a fresh phase of security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States amid worsening insurgency and communal violence in parts of the country.
According to a report by The New York Times, the first aircraft touched down in Maiduguri on Thursday night, with additional planes arriving by Friday evening.
Equipment was seen being offloaded from at least one of the aircraft.
The deployment involves C-17 cargo planes transporting troops and military hardware to multiple locations across Nigeria.
A United States Defence Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the operation, disclosed that about 100 American troops are expected to arrive initially, with more personnel and equipment scheduled to follow in the coming weeks.
The development follows an earlier report by The Wall Street Journal that the US planned to deploy about 200 troops to Nigeria.
Reacting, the Defence Headquarters in Abuja reiterated that the American personnel would not engage in combat operations.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, clarified that the foreign troops would serve strictly in advisory capacities.
“These personnel do not serve in a combat capacity and will not assume a direct operational role. Nigerian forces retain full command authority, make all operational decisions and will lead all missions on Nigerian sovereign territory,” he said.
According to him, the deployment was based on recommendations of a US-Nigeria joint working group aimed at strengthening intelligence sharing, mission planning and operational coordination.
Security sources indicated that the joint mission would focus on troubled northern states where insurgent groups, including Boko Haram, have operated for over a decade.
Parts of the North-Central region affected by recurring farmer-herder clashes are also expected to benefit from the enhanced cooperation.
The deployment comes months after former US President Donald Trump reportedly mounted pressure on the Nigerian government over security concerns, particularly attacks on Christian communities.
Although Christians have suffered deadly assaults, thousands of Muslims and adherents of other faiths have also been killed in the prolonged violence.
Late last year, US airstrikes were reportedly carried out against Islamic State-linked targets in Nigeria’s North-West, with Nigerian authorities confirming intelligence collaboration.
Defence officials disclosed that the newly arrived troops would concentrate on establishing secure communication systems, strengthening operational security frameworks and supporting base infrastructure in collaboration with Nigerian forces.
The American personnel are also expected to reinforce a small contingent of US advisers already in the country, who have been training Nigerian special operations units in areas such as tactical navigation, strike coordination and rescue support.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, recently deployed special forces to Plateau, Taraba and other conflict-prone states as part of intensified internal security operations.
While the duration of the US presence remains unclear, American officials have indicated that the mission is temporary and targeted at capacity building rather than frontline engagement.
Security analysts say the success of the partnership will depend largely on effective intelligence integration, respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and measurable improvements in security outcomes across affected regions.
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