In a significant escalation of regional security cooperation, the United States has deployed multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones and approximately 200 troops to Nigeria. The move, confirmed by both US and Nigerian officials to Reuters on Saturday, marks a renewed American effort to suppress Islamist insurgencies spreading across West Africa.
According to US defense officials, the deployment is specifically tailored for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and training. While the MQ-9 Reaper is capable of carrying out precision strikes, officials emphasized that the aircraft in Nigeria are being used exclusively for reconnaissance.
The deployment comes after a major shift in the regional security landscape. For years, the US military operated a $100 million drone base in neighboring Niger, housing roughly 1,000 troops. However, that facility was shuttered in 2024 following an order from Niger’s military government for US forces to depart.
A US defense official described the new arrangement as a direct response to a request from the Nigerian government. “We see this as a shared security threat,” the official told Reuters, citing the persistent danger posed by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information at Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, confirmed that the US assets are currently operating out of the Bauchi airfield in the North-East.
“This support builds on the newly established US-Nigeria intelligence fusion cell, which continues to deliver actionable intelligence to our field commanders,” Maj. Gen. Uba stated. “Our US partners remain in a strictly non-combat role, enabling operations led by Nigerian authorities.”
The deployment follows a series of recent attacks in the region, including a suicide bombing in a northeastern garrison town earlier this week. Nigerian military leaders believe the enhanced surveillance will allow field commanders to “identify, track, and respond” to militant movements with greater precision.
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