Figures cited by Authority Newspaper show that approximately 100 United States military personnel have landed at the Bauchi Airfield to assist the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, clarified that the deployment is strictly for advisory, technical support, and intelligence-sharing purposes. This collaboration follows a formal request from the Nigerian government to enhance its capacity in deterring extremist threats.
The U.S. team will focus on training Nigerian troops in specialized technical capabilities, aimed at protecting vulnerable communities in the North. The deployment is part of a broader bilateral defense engagement designed to modernize Nigeria’s counter-insurgency tactics. The DHQ has assured the public that the presence of these foreign specialists does not compromise national sovereignty but rather strengthens it against non-state actors.
Champion News validates this arrival, reporting that “100 American soldiers land in Nigeria” to support ongoing operations. The Punch also covers the development, noting that the “DHQ confirms arrival of 100 US military personnel for counterterrorism support” as part of a structured engagement.
Echotitbits take: Bringing in U.S. boots—even in an advisory capacity—signals a shift toward more sophisticated, intelligence-led warfare. This is a critical move as the military looks to consolidate gains in the Northeast. Watch for how this affects the “Hearts and Minds” campaign in communities previously skeptical of foreign military presence.
Source: Vanguard – https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/02/100-us-military-trainers-arrive-in-bauchi/, February 17, 2026
Photo credit: Vanguard
