The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the arrival of about 100 United States military personnel and related equipment at Bauchi Airfield to support the ongoing capacity-building efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the deployment was described as a planned outcome of earlier engagements between Nigerian officials and their US counterparts during a bilateral working group meeting.
According to the DHQ, the presence of the US personnel follows a formal request by the Federal Government of Nigeria seeking specialised military training, technical assistance, and intelligence-sharing support. The collaboration is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s operational effectiveness in tackling terrorist threats and enhancing the protection of vulnerable communities across the country.
Major General Uba explained that the visiting personnel are in Nigeria strictly in an advisory and training role, stressing that they are not deployed as combat troops.
He further noted that all activities will be carried out under the authority, direction, and control of the Nigerian Government, in close coordination with the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
As part of the engagement, Nigerian troops are expected to participate in a series of joint training exercises and intelligence-focused cooperation initiatives with the US advisers. These activities are intended to enhance operational planning, intelligence analysis, and tactical proficiency in counter-terrorism operations.
The DHQ reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to degrade and ultimately defeat terrorist groups threatening the country’s sovereignty and national security.
It also assured the public of continued transparency, pledging to provide timely and accurate updates on the scope and progress of the military cooperation.
