The United States has deployed about 200 military personnel alongside multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones to Nigeria to support ongoing counterterrorism operations, according to a Reuters report published on Saturday.
Citing U.S. and Nigerian officials, the report stated that the deployment is focused strictly on intelligence gathering and training, with no involvement of American forces in frontline combat or drone strike missions.
Officials disclosed that the move followed a request from Nigerian authorities, aimed at strengthening efforts to detect, track, and respond to terrorist threats, particularly in the country’s northern region.
“The U.S. military has multiple MQ-9 drones operating in Nigeria alongside 200 troops to provide training and intelligence support,” the officials were quoted as saying.
A U.S. defence official described the initiative as a joint security effort, noting that the mission is limited to advisory and surveillance roles. “We see this as a shared security threat,” the official said.
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters also confirmed the presence of U.S. personnel. The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, revealed that the American troops are operating from an airfield in Bauchi State.
He explained that the collaboration builds on a recently established U.S.-Nigeria intelligence fusion cell, which provides real-time intelligence to Nigerian commanders in the field.
“Our U.S. partners remain in a strictly non-combat role, enabling operations led by Nigerian authorities,” Uba said.
The MQ-9 Reaper drones, known for their long endurance of over 27 hours, are capable of both surveillance and precision strikes. However, officials emphasised that those deployed in Nigeria are being used solely for intelligence purposes.
Uba added that the support is helping Nigerian forces improve their ability to identify and respond to threats, though he did not disclose specific operational details.
The development comes amid renewed violence in parts of northern Nigeria. On March 16, suspected suicide bombers attacked a military garrison town in the northeast, underscoring the continued threat posed by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
“We continue to assess that these groups may target vulnerable locations and attempt high-profile attacks to assert relevance,” Uba warned.
Military authorities said the duration of the U.S. deployment would be determined jointly by both countries, describing the partnership as part of broader efforts to enhance intelligence sharing and strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism capacity.
The report noted that the latest move follows earlier U.S. involvement, including reported airstrikes on Christmas Day during the administration of former President Donald Trump targeting ISIS-linked elements in northwest Nigeria.
It also referenced a similar deployment in February, when around 200 U.S. troops were sent to assist with training and operational support in the fight against insurgents.
According to a U.S. official, the initiative is intended to bolster Nigeria’s response to extremist threats through improved intelligence coordination and military training.
