US military aircraft arrive in Nigeria for non-combat security mission

2026-02-16 - 10:45

The aircraft arrived between Thursday and Sunday in Borno state's capital, with additional flights expected in coming weeks, according to Nigerian Defense Headquarters officials. A defense source speaking on condition of anonymity told Anadolu: "As said last week, the American troops would focus on non-combat functions and operate primarily from command centers. Their job is to support our efforts here." Advisory role amid counterinsurgency efforts The deployment builds on a longstanding security partnership between Washington and Abuja. Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, spokesperson for the Nigerian Defense Headquarters, previously clarified that US personnel "do not serve in a combat capacity and will not assume a direct operational role." The mission involves advisory and intelligence-sharing functions to support Nigerian forces combating insurgency in the region, which has faced years of violence from extremist groups. Context of US pressure and domestic security measures The arrival follows renewed criticism from US President Donald Trump regarding attacks targeting Christian communities in Nigeria. While Christian populations have suffered deadly assaults, Muslim civilians and other groups have also been killed in significant numbers amid ongoing violence with complex communal dimensions. Nigerian authorities have simultaneously intensified domestic security operations, deploying special forces to Plateau and Taraba states, which have experienced recurring violence. Temporary deployment with undefined timeline Nigerian officials have not specified how long the American personnel will remain, though US authorities indicate the deployment is intended as temporary. The mission represents the latest chapter in military cooperation between the two nations as Nigeria continues grappling with multifaceted security challenges across its northern regions. For international observers including Türkiye, which maintains its own engagement with African nations, the deployment highlights evolving counterterrorism partnerships on the continent and the balance between foreign assistance and national sovereignty in security matters.