US Deploys 200 Troops, MQ-9 Reaper Drones to Nigeria for Intelligence Support

The United States has deployed approximately 200 military personnel and multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones to Nigeria to bolster the country’s ongoing fight against insurgency in the Northern region.

The deployment, which was reportedly requested by the Nigerian government, is aimed at providing critical intelligence, surveillance, and training support to the Nigerian military as it battles Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists.

Confirming the development, the Director of Defence Information at Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, Major General Samaila Uba, stated that the U.S. forces are currently operating from the Bauchi airfield in the Northeast.

Uba clarified that the American personnel are in a strictly non-combat, advisory role, focusing on the newly established U.S.-Nigeria Intelligence Fusion Cell to provide actionable intelligence to field commanders.

“Our U.S. partners remain in a strictly non-combat role, enabling operations led by Nigerian authorities. This support builds on the newly established intelligence fusion cell, which continues to deliver actionable intelligence to our field commanders,” Uba said.

The MQ-9 Reaper drones, known for their ability to stay airborne for over 27 hours at high altitudes, are being used exclusively for surveillance and tracking of terrorist movements. Although the drones are capable of conducting airstrikes, officials emphasized that they are currently restricted to intelligence gathering.

The move comes on the heels of renewed violence in the Northeast, including a March 16 suicide bombing in a garrison town. It also follows previous U.S. airstrikes ordered by President Donald Trump on Christmas Day targeting ISIS-linked elements in the Northwest.

The Nigerian military has indicated that the duration of the U.S. stay will be determined by mutual agreement between both nations as they monitor the evolving security situation