US Military Aircraft Deliver Ammunition To Northeast Nigeria
US Aircraft Land in Northeast
AT least three United States military aircraft reportedly landed in Nigeria between Thursday and Friday, delivering ammunition and operational equipment to military bases in Borno and other parts of the Northeast.
Senior officers at Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the deliveries were part of ongoing bilateral security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
According to the officers, the aircraft transported ammunition intended to replenish stocks used in counterinsurgency operations against terrorist groups operating in the region.
“Following Nigeria-US bilateral talks on security, the American government will not only deploy personnel but also provide necessary logistics, including ammunition,” one officer said.
Reports of Equipment Offloading in Maiduguri
The development gained wider attention after The New York Times reported that US military transport planes landed in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, with equipment being offloaded at a local airbase.
The newspaper quoted a US Department of Defense official as saying the flights were the “vanguard” of a stream of C-17 transport aircraft expected to land at multiple locations across Nigeria.
Social media tracking accounts also reported sightings of a US Air Force C-130J-30 aircraft landing at Kaduna International Airport after departing from Ghana, fuelling speculation that the Kaduna Depot could serve as a logistics or training hub for American personnel working with Nigerian forces.
As of press time, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, had not issued an official response.
Expanding Bilateral Engagement
Security cooperation between both countries has intensified in recent years. In 2025, US President Donald Trump declared that the United States would intervene if Nigeria failed to halt what he described as attacks on Christians.
Subsequently, the US designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern and later conducted an airstrike against Islamic State-linked fighters in Sokoto State on Christmas Day 2025.
The New York Times reported that the latest deployment includes intelligence analysts, advisers, and trainers—estimated at about 200 personnel—to assist Nigerian forces in targeted counterterrorism operations.
Experts Weigh In
Retired Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps officer, Chris Andrew, dismissed suggestions that the development signalled a combat deployment.
“They are not bringing combat troops,” he said. “They are offering technical expertise—particularly in advanced drone operations and precision air capabilities.”
Andrew argued that Nigeria’s air operations have improved in accuracy and coordination following recent engagements with the United States.
He also suggested that the withdrawal of US forces from Niger, which previously hosted an American drone base, could create an opportunity for Nigeria to host similar infrastructure.
Security analyst Chidi Omeje described the cooperation as a diplomatic success.
“It would have been damaging if Nigeria had failed to engage the US constructively,” he said. “Any support that strengthens capacity—training, intelligence, or technology—should be welcomed.”
However, Omeje cautioned that Nigeria must retain sovereignty over any joint operations, insisting that foreign troops must operate only with clear consent and coordination.
Strategic Implications
Analysts say the renewed partnership reflects shared concerns over terrorism in West Africa, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin.
For residents in conflict-affected communities, the priority remains improved security outcomes.
“If this partnership helps stamp out terrorism and violent crime, then it is acceptable,” Omeje said.
With additional aircraft reportedly expected in the coming weeks, observers say the scale and scope of the US presence in Nigeria will become clearer as operations unfold.
