Counter-terrorism: 100 US military trainers arrive Nigeria — DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the arrival of about 100 United States military personnel at Bauchi Airfield to support the training and capacity development of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, announced this in a statement issued on Monday, February 16, 2026.

Uba said the deployment followed deliberations between a Nigerian delegation and its counterpart from the United States during a recent working-group engagement.

Uba said the deployment was planned and executed after a formal request by the federal government for support in clearly defined areas of military training, technical assistance, and intelligence sharing for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The defence spokesman noted that the cooperation would provide access to specialised technical capabilities aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to deter terrorist threats and improve the protection of vulnerable communities across the country.

He stated that the visiting US personnel are technical specialists serving strictly in advisory and training roles, and are not combat forces, adding that Nigerian troops and the advisers would begin a series of joint training engagements and intelligence-focused cooperation initiatives designed to improve the ability of troops to identify and neutralise extremist groups seeking to destabilise the country.

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Uba said: “All training activities will be conducted under the authority, direction and control of the Nigerian Government and in close coordination with the Nigerian Armed Forces.

“Nigerian troops, alongside these advisers, will commence a series of joint training engagements and intelligence focused cooperation initiatives. These activities are designed to enhance the capacity of Nigerian troops to effectively identify and neutralise extremist terrorist groups seeking to destabilise the nation.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to degrading and defeating terrorist organizations that threaten the country’s sovereignty, national security and the safety of its citizens.

“The DHQ assures Nigerians of continued transparency and the provision of clear, accurate and timely information regarding the military cooperation efforts.”

The Star