…As Nigeria–U.S joint offensive takes off
Five United States (U.S) military aircraft and the first batch of American troops have arrived in north-east Nigeria, marking the formal commencement of an expanded Nigeria–US security partnership aimed at crushing insurgency in the region.
Military sources confirmed that at least three US aircraft landed between Thursday and Friday at bases in Maiduguri, Borno State, and Kaduna, delivering ammunition and other critical equipment to support ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
According to senior officers at Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, the consignments followed recent bilateral security talks between Abuja and Washington and form part of a broader military assistance package.
“Following Nigeria–US bilateral talks on security, the American government will not only deploy soldiers but also provide necessary logistics, including ammunition, to fight the insurgents”, a senior officer disclosed, on condition of anonymity.
Another high-ranking officer described the deliveries as routine operational replenishments after sustained engagements, noting that ammunition stocks are regularly replaced.
Reports by The New York Times indicated that a US military aircraft touched down in Maiduguri on Thursday night. By Friday evening, three planes were visible at the base, with equipment being offloaded. A US Department of Defense official told the newspaper that the flights were the “vanguard” of a steady stream of C-17 transport aircraft expected to arrive at three main locations across Nigeria.
Security observers on social media also tracked the deployments. An X account, @mobilisingniger, reported that a US Air Force C-130J aircraft landed at Kaduna International Airport after departing Accra, Ghana, suggesting Kaduna could serve as a logistics or training hub. Another user, Brant Philip, claimed a large volume of equipment had been delivered to the Maiduguri Airbase, following earlier arrivals of C-17 aircraft.
The latest deployment follows heightened security cooperation between both countries. In 2025, US President Donald Trump declared that Washington would send military forces to Nigeria if the government failed to halt what he described as genocide against Christians. The US subsequently designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern and reportedly carried out an airstrike against Islamic State fighters in Sokoto State on Christmas Day.
Earlier indications suggested that about 200 American intelligence analysts, advisers and trainers would be deployed to assist Nigerian forces in targeted counterterrorism operations against ISWAP and other extremist groups.
The first wave of personnel has now arrived, with additional aircraft carrying troops and equipment expected over the weekend as part of a sustained joint offensive in the North-East.
