The US military has deployed multiple MQ-9 drones to Nigeria, accompanied by 200 troops, to provide training and intelligence support to the Nigerian military in their fight against Islamist militants.
The drones, which can loiter at high altitudes for over 27 hours, are collecting intelligence and not carrying out airstrikes.
This deployment follows US airstrikes targeting militants in northwest Nigeria in late 2025 and is part of a broader effort to tackle Islamic State and al Qaeda-linked insurgencies in West Africa.
The US troops are operating in a strictly non-combat role, and their presence is aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s capabilities to identify, track, and respond to terrorist threats.
Major General Samaila Uba, director of defence information at Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, confirmed that the US is operating assets from Bauchi airfield in the northeast.
The deployment is seen as a shared security threat, with both countries working together to combat the spread of extremist groups. However, the timeline for the US deployment in Nigeria is yet to be determined.
