ABUJA — The Nigerian military says U.S. military trainers deployed to Nigeria are operating MQ-9 “Reaper” drones from an air base in Bauchi State to support surveillance and intelligence gathering against jihadist groups, as Abuja deepens security cooperation with Washington.
Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information at Defence Headquarters, told AFP that the drones—capable of carrying out strikes—are being used strictly for reconnaissance, while U.S. personnel remain in non-combat roles. “U.S. support is designed to enhance Nigeria’s ability to independently detect, track and disrupt terrorist activity,” Uba said, adding that the partnership has improved intelligence sharing and operational coordination.
The development comes as Nigeria continues to battle Boko Haram and Islamic State-linked factions, while violence has expanded beyond the North-East into other parts of the country. Washington has pledged stronger intelligence cooperation and support to Nigerian forces, including arms sales, as the insurgency enters its 17th year.
The deployment follows earlier reporting that U.S. surveillance flights had been tracked over Nigeria in late 2025, with some missions originating from Ghana, after the United States shut down its major drone base in neighbouring Niger following the junta’s order for U.S. forces to leave. AFRICOM officials have said the U.S. is not seeking to establish a replacement drone base in the region.
U.S. Africa Command did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment, according to the report. Both Nigeria and the United States have maintained that U.S. troops in the country are deployed for training and advisory support, not combat operations.
