Nigeria has announced the arrival of 100 US military personnel to support training, technical assistance, and intelligence sharing with the Nigerian Armed Forces. The deployment, confirmed by Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ), is part of ongoing cooperation between the two countries to address insecurity across Nigeria.
The DHQ statement said the US personnel arrived at Bauchi Airfield and emphasized that they are strictly serving in an advisory and training capacity, not as combat forces. Their presence follows a formal request by the Nigerian government to the US for assistance in clearly defined military operations.
Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including a jihadist insurgency in the northeast, violent clashes between farmers and herders in the central regions, separatist unrest in the southeast, and frequent kidnappings in the northwest.
Earlier, on December 25, 2025, the US military conducted airstrikes in Sokoto State, targeting Islamic State fighters. Nigerian authorities confirmed the strikes were coordinated with their government.
US President Donald Trump has described Christians in Nigeria as victims of “persecution” and “genocide” by terrorist groups. However, Nigerian officials and independent analysts say the violence affects people of all faiths in the country.
The DHQ reassured Nigerians that the US soldiers are technical specialists and will not participate directly in combat operations. The partnership focuses on training, advisory roles, and intelligence sharing, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to respond to its complex security threats.
This deployment underscores the continuing military cooperation between Nigeria and the US, particularly in addressing terrorism, insurgency, and regional security challenges.
