The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the arrival of 100 United States military personnel and equipment in Nigeria, stating that they landed at Bauchi airfield.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, said the deployment followed a recent security agreement between Nigeria and the United States.

Uba explained that the Federal Government had made a formal request to the US for assistance in military training, technical support, and intelligence sharing for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

“The collaboration will provide access to specialised technical capabilities aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s ability to deter terrorist threats and enhance the protection of vulnerable communities across the country,” the statement read.

Uba stressed that the US personnel are technical specialists serving strictly in advisory and training roles. He clarified that they are not combat forces, adding that all training activities would be conducted under the authority, direction, and control of the Federal Government, and in close coordination with the Nigerian military.

He said Nigerian troops, alongside the US trainers, would commence a series of joint training engagements and intelligence-focused cooperation initiatives in the coming days.

“These activities are designed to enhance the capacity of Nigerian troops to effectively identify and neutralise extremist terrorist groups seeking to destabilise the nation,” he added.

Uba reiterated that the military remains fully committed to degrading and defeating terrorist groups that threaten the country’s sovereignty, national security, and the safety of its citizens. He also assured Nigerians of continued transparency, and the provision of clear, accurate, and timely information regarding the military cooperation efforts.

The deployment follows months of mounting pressure from US President, Mr. Donald Trump, who has criticised Nigeria’s government for what he describes as its failure to adequately protect Christians from deadly attacks by Islamist militants and armed groups.

Trump declared Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), a designation the Nigerian government rejected, insisting that violence in the country affects people of all faiths, not only Christians.

On Christmas Day, Trump ordered airstrikes in Nigeria, saying they targeted Islamic State terrorists in the North-West responsible for killing Christians. He and Nigerian authorities later confirmed that the action was a collaborative effort.

Following discussions with Nigerian authorities in Abuja, the head of US Africa Command, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, confirmed that a small team of US military officers was in Nigeria, focused on intelligence support.

Critics questioned the move, claiming it undermines Nigeria’s territorial integrity. However, the DHQ maintained that the partnership primarily focuses on capacity building, professional military education, intelligence sharing, logistics support, and strategic dialogue.

According to Uba, all engagements with the US are conducted with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and existing bilateral frameworks.

Nigeria continues to face a protracted conflict involving dozens of armed groups competing for territory, including the homegrown Boko Haram insurgents and their breakaway faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The ISIL-linked Lakurawa group, as well as other bandit groups specialising in kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining, also operate in parts of the country.

According to United Nations data, several thousand people have been killed in Nigeria as a result of the violence.