No fewer than three United States military aircraft reportedly landed in Nigeria between Thursday and Friday, delivering ammunition to support ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
Defence sources disclosed that the aircraft touched down at military bases in Borno and other northeastern states, conveying ammunition supplied by the American government as part of bilateral security cooperation.
Senior officers at the Defence Headquarters, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the deliveries followed recent Nigeria–US security talks aimed at strengthening efforts against insurgency and terrorism.
“Following Nigeria-US bilateral talks on security, the American government will not only deploy soldiers but also provide necessary logistics, including ammunition, to fight the insurgents,” one officer stated.
Another senior official explained that the replenishment of ammunition is routine after military operations, adding that collaboration between both countries is being coordinated through the Office of the National Security Adviser.
According to international media reports, US military aircraft were sighted at the Maiduguri Airbase in Borno State, with equipment being offloaded. A US Department of Defense official was quoted as saying the flights form part of a series of transport operations into multiple locations across Nigeria.
There were also reports that a US Air Force C-130J aircraft landed at Kaduna International Airport after departing from Ghana, sparking speculation that Kaduna could serve as a training hub for US personnel working alongside Nigerian forces.
As of the time of filing this report, the Director of Defence Media Operations had not issued an official statement confirming the development.
The United States and Nigeria have recently intensified security cooperation amid persistent insurgency and banditry challenges in parts of the country.
