Nigerian soldiers prepare to load weapons stored in boxes onto a military plane before departing for Mali at an airport in the northern state of Kaduna, Nigeria. File photo. | Photo credit: Reuters
Nigeria’s Ministry of Defense on Monday (February 16, 2026) announced the deployment of about 100 US troops to Nigeria as part of increased military cooperation to fight insecurity in the West African nation.
The ministry did not specify when “US military trainers” had arrived or would arrive.
“The Defense Headquarters (DHQ) wishes to announce the arrival of approximately 100 United States military personnel and related equipment at Bauchi Airfield,” the statement said.
“The arrival is planned and deliberate following a formal request by the Federal Government of Nigeria to the US Government for a clearly defined military training requirement, technical support and intelligence sharing with members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.”
Nigeria has been facing a long-running jihadist insurgency in the northeast, conflict between farmers and herdsmen in the north-central region, separatist violence in the southeast and kidnappings for ransom in the northwest.
US President Donald Trump says Christians in Nigeria are being “persecuted” and victims of “genocide” by “terrorists”.
But Abuja and many independent experts say the violence in Nigeria affects Christians and Muslims indiscriminately.
On December 25, the US military conducted airstrikes in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Nigerian officials said the operation was coordinated with them and that it targeted Islamic State jihadists.
Of the announced deployment, Nigeria’s DHQ said: “US personnel technicians are operating strictly in an advisory and training capacity. They are not combat troops.”
Published – February 17, 2026 04:53 am IST
