Insecurity: US Deploys Drones, 200 Troops to Nigeria for Intelligence Support

Insecurity: US Deploys Drones, 200 Troops to Nigeria for Intelligence Support

The United States has deployed surveillance drones and about 200 troops to Nigeria to support ongoing military operations against insurgents in the northern region, according to officials.

The deployment includes MQ-9 drones, widely known as Reaper drones, which are capable of long-endurance surveillance missions.

However, both American and Nigerian authorities stressed that the operation is limited to intelligence gathering and training, with no combat role for U.S. personnel.

Officials told Reuters that the mission was initiated at the request of Nigeria to improve its ability to track and respond to terrorist threats.

A U.S. defence official described the move as part of a shared effort to address security challenges, noting that the focus remains on advisory support rather than direct engagement.

Confirming the development, Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, said the U.S. team is operating from an airfield in Bauchi State in the northeast.

“This support builds on the newly established U.S.-Nigeria intelligence fusion cell, which continues to provide actionable intelligence to our field commanders. Our U.S. partners remain in a strictly non-combat role,” he said.

The MQ-9 drones are currently being used only for surveillance, helping Nigerian forces identify and monitor insurgent activities linked to groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.

The development comes amid renewed attacks in parts of northern Nigeria. Recent incidents, including suicide bombings in the northeast, have raised concerns about the evolving tactics of insurgent groups.

Military authorities said the duration of the deployment would depend on ongoing cooperation between both countries, as efforts continue to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism capacity.

The latest move builds on earlier security collaboration between Nigeria and the United States, including previous troop deployments and intelligence-sharing arrangements aimed at tackling violent extremism.