Approximately 100 US military personnel arrived in Nigeria this week to begin a strategic capacity-building initiative aimed at bolstering the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in counter-terrorism operations. The deployment, confirmed by Director of Defense Information Major-General Samaila Uba on February 17, 2026, follows months of planning by a joint Nigeria-US defense working group.
"This partnership underscores our shared commitment to defeating terrorist organizations threatening Nigeria's sovereignty," Uba stated, emphasizing that all activities will operate under Nigerian government authority without direct combat involvement.
The troops will focus on technical training, intelligence-sharing frameworks, and community protection strategies to address vulnerabilities exploited by extremist groups. Official reports highlight access to advanced surveillance and logistics systems as a key component of the collaboration.
While details of operational timelines remain classified, Uba assured transparency moving forward: "Nigerians will receive regular updates as we work to secure every community." Analysts suggest the initiative could reshape regional security dynamics amid growing concerns about cross-border militant activity.
