The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Monday, 16 February, 2026 confirmed the arrival of 100 US military personnel and equipment in Nigeria, saying they arrived at Bauchi airfield, reports thegazellenews.com.
Defence spokesman, Samaila Uba, who confirmed the development through a statement issued on Monday, 16 February, 2026, said the deployment follows a recent security agreement between Nigeria and the US.
According to Uba , the Federal Government had made a formal request to the US for assistance in terms of military training, technical support, and intelligence sharing with the members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“The collaboration will provide access to specialised technical capabilities aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s ability to deter terrorists’ threats and enhance the protection of vulnerable communities across the country,” the Defence image-maker said in the statement, just as he also added that the US personnel are technical specialists serving strictly in an advisory and training capacity.
He added that the US personnel are not combat forces, just as he also said that all training activities will be conducted under the authority, direction and control of the federal government and in close coordination with the Nigerian military.
Uba said Nigerian troops, alongside the US trainers, will commence a series of joint training engagements and intelligence-focused cooperation initiatives in the coming days.
“These activities are designed to enhance the capacity of Nigerian troops to effectively identify and neutralize extremist terrorist groups seeking to destabilize the nation,” Uba said in the statement.
The Defence publicist also said the military remains fully committed to degrading and defeating terrorist groups that threaten the country’s sovereignty, national security, and the safety of its citizens.
Uba, who also assured Nigerians of continued transparency and the provision of clear, accurate, and timely information regarding the military cooperation efforts, said the deployment comes after months of mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has strongly criticised Nigeria’s government for what he describes as its failure to adequately protect Christians from deadly attacks carried out by Islamist militants and armed groups.
He declared Nigeria a country of particular concern (CPC). But the Nigerian government has since rejected Trump’s claim, insisting that violence in the country affects people of all faiths and not only Christians.
Thegazellenews.com recalled that Trump ordered airstrikes in Nigeria on Christmas Day, saying they targeted Islamic State terrorists in the North-west who are responsible for killing Christians.
He and Nigerian authorities later confirmed that the action was a collaborative effort.
Following discussions with Nigerian authorities in Abuja, the head of US Africa Command, General Dagvin Anderson, confirmed that a small team of US military officers was in Nigeria, focused on intelligence support.
Critics raised their dislike, which they claim undermines Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
However, the DHQ clarified that the partnership with the US primarily focuses on capacity building, professional military education, intelligence sharing, logistics support, and strategic dialogue.
According to Uba, all engagements with the US are done with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and existing bilateral frameworks.
Nigerian is currently battling security challenges, and according to data emanating from the United Nations, several thousand people in Nigeria have been killed.
