No fewer than three United States military aircraft landed in Nigeria between Thursday and Friday, according to findings by Sunday PUNCH, touching down at military bases in Borno and other northeastern states.
Senior officers at the Defence Headquarters revealed that the aircraft carried ammunition supplied by the US government as part of ongoing efforts to support Nigeria’s fight against insecurity. Speaking on condition of anonymity, one officer said, “Following Nigeria-US bilateral talks on security, the American government will not only deploy soldiers but also provide necessary logistics, including ammunition, to fight the insurgents.”
Another high-ranking officer explained that the deliveries were part of operational logistics, noting that military operations often require replenishment of ammunition. He added, “I know that recently US aircraft came to supply ammunition for our platforms, and that wasn’t the first time. We go for operations and use different calibres of ammunition, which need to be replaced. The US and the Nigerian government, under the coordination of the NSA, are working together to end insecurity in the country. So, we should expect more deployments of aircraft and troops.”
The New York Times reported that US military aircraft landed in Maiduguri, Borno State’s capital, on Thursday night, with three planes visible at the base by Friday evening and equipment being offloaded from one of them. “These initial flights are the vanguard of what will be a stream of C-17 transport flights into three main locations across Nigeria,” a US Department of Defense official told the newspaper.
An X user, @mobilisingniger, claimed a US Air Force C-30J transport aircraft landed at Kaduna International Airport after departing Ghana, suggesting the Kaduna Depot could serve as a potential training hub for US personnel collaborating with the Nigerian military. The post read, “A US Air Force military transport aircraft C30J has landed at Kaduna International Airport after departing from Ghana earlier this (Friday) evening. The movement is fuelling speculation that US personnel may utilise the Kaduna Depot as a potential training hub in collaboration with the Nigerian military. This signals a potential deepening of US–Nigeria security engagement amid ongoing regional security challenges.”
Another X user, Brant Philip, described a “massive delivery of equipment” to Maiduguri Airbase, writing, “The US Air Force C-130J-30 cargo aircraft flew to northeast Nigeria today (Friday) from Accra, Ghana, following the same route as the two previous C-17A, a mass delivery of equipment seems to be ongoing.”
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, had yet to comment on the development as of the report.
US Deploys Military Personnel
In 2025, United States President Donald Trump had threatened to deploy military forces to Nigeria if the government failed to halt what he described as genocide against Christians. Following the declaration of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, the US carried out an airstrike on Islamic State fighters in Sokoto State on Christmas Day.
Reports indicate that 200 US officers—intelligence analysts, advisers, and trainers—are being deployed to assist Nigeria’s armed forces in targeted counterterrorism operations, partly aimed at protecting Nigerian Christians. The first wave of personnel has already arrived, with additional aircraft and equipment expected in the coming weeks, according to The New York Times.
Experts Weigh In
Reacting to the developments, retired Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps officer Chris Andrew emphasized that the arrival of US personnel should not be viewed as a combat deployment. “It is what it is—nothing more, nothing less. They are not bringing combat troops. Recently, Nigeria has been engaging countries like Turkey and others on drone technology. We already operate locally made drones and Chinese-made drones, but when it comes to advanced drone technology, the West—especially the United States—has the capacity to train us effectively,” he said.
Andrew also highlighted improvements in Nigeria’s recent air operations following US engagements, particularly after the Christmas Day strikes. “They did not buy us aircraft or attack helicopters. What they are doing is teaching us how to carry out operations with precision,” he added. He noted that a US drone base in Nigeria might be established, a move he considered long overdue after the withdrawal of US forces from Niger, suggesting that the Sambisa Forest could be a strategic location.
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Security expert Chidi Omeje described the initiative as a success for Nigeria’s soft diplomacy. “It would have been humiliating if Nigeria had not engaged properly. I am glad the government remained calm and turned the initial aggression from the Trump-era rhetoric into partnership and mutual respect,” he said.
Omeje stressed that Nigeria must retain sovereignty over any cooperation, warning that foreign troops operating without consent or unsanctioned strikes would be unacceptable. He added, “If this partnership helps us stamp out terrorism and violent crime, then it is acceptable. People at the receiving end just want their lives back.”
The development underscores a deepening collaboration between Nigeria and the United States in addressing regional security challenges through training, logistics, and intelligence support.