Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has confirmed the deployment of approximately 100 United States military personnel to Bauchi Airfield, stating that the team will provide technical training and advisory support to the Nigerian Armed Forces.
In a statement released on Monday, Director of Defence Information Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba said the American personnel arrived alongside related equipment and will operate strictly in non-combat roles. He clarified that their presence is limited to advisory and instructional functions and does not involve direct participation in military operations.
According to the Defence Headquarters, all activities involving the US team will take place under the supervision and authority of the Nigerian government. The training programmes and cooperative initiatives will be carried out in coordination with the Nigerian Armed Forces, with Nigerian troops working directly with the advisers during scheduled engagements.
Officials said the joint activities will focus on strengthening operational skills and improving intelligence collaboration. The aim is to enhance the ability of Nigerian forces to detect, disrupt and counter extremist groups operating within the country. Authorities indicated that the cooperation forms part of broader efforts to address security threats and protect civilian populations in affected areas.
Maj.-Gen. Uba explained that the deployment followed discussions between Nigerian officials and their US counterparts during a bilateral working group meeting. The arrangement was initiated after a formal request from the Federal Government of Nigeria seeking assistance in specific areas, including military training, technical expertise and intelligence sharing. He noted that the partnership is designed to provide access to specialised capabilities that can improve Nigeria’s capacity to respond to security challenges.
The Defence Headquarters stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain focused on confronting armed groups that pose risks to national stability and public safety. It also pledged to keep the public informed about developments related to the cooperation and to maintain transparency regarding the scope and nature of the mission.
The announcement comes as Nigeria continues to address insurgent and extremist threats in various regions of the country, with authorities emphasising international collaboration as one component of their broader security strategy.
Source: Defence Headquarters, Nigeria statement issued by Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba.
