The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that nearly 100 military personnel from the United States, along with relevant equipment, have landed at the Bauchi Airfield as part of a bilateral security arrangement.
The disclosure was made on Monday, the 16th of February 2026, in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba.
According to him, the deployment followed an official request from the Federal Government of Nigeria and forms part of a structured programme focused on capacity building, technical collaboration, and intelligence exchange.
Clarifying the nature of their mission, he stressed that “the US personnel are technical specialists serving strictly in an advisory and training capacity. They are not combat forces.”
He further assured that “All training activities will be conducted under the authority, direction, and control of the Nigerian Government and in close coordination with the Nigerian Armed Forces.”
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The Defence Headquarters explained that the partnership is designed to equip Nigeria with advanced technical expertise to boost its counter-terrorism capabilities and improve security coverage for at-risk communities nationwide.
Uba also noted that joint engagements between Nigerian service members and the visiting U.S. advisers will commence soon, centering on coordinated training exercises and intelligence-driven operations to enhance mission readiness and efficiency.
Reaffirming its dedication to safeguarding the country, the military high command pledged “continued transparency and the provision of clear, accurate, and timely information regarding the military cooperation efforts.”