US military jets arrive in Nigeria as part of a newly confirmed American troop deployment, with three United States aircraft carrying personnel and military equipment landing in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
Multiple reports indicate that the first aircraft touched down late Thursday night in Maiduguri, a strategic city in northeastern Nigeria. By Friday evening, a total of three planes had landed, with visible offloading of equipment from at least one aircraft.
According to reporting by the New York Times, officials from both countries confirmed that roughly 100 US troops are expected to arrive in Nigeria during the weekend. The initial landings signal the beginning of a broader logistical operation involving US Air Force C-17 cargo planes heading to three separate locations across the country.
A senior official from the US Department of Defense, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of operational details, told the newspaper that additional aircraft transporting personnel and equipment are scheduled to arrive over the coming days and weeks.
Maiduguri, located in Nigeria’s restive northeast, has long served as a military hub due to its proximity to regions affected by Islamist insurgencies. The arrival of US aircraft in the city underscores its logistical importance, even as both governments stress that the deployment does not signal a combat mission.
Maiduguri is the capital of Borno State, a region that has borne the brunt of years of violence linked to militant groups. Despite this backdrop, Nigerian officials have moved quickly to emphasize that US forces will not be directly involved in fighting.
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has publicly stated that the American troops will operate strictly in a non-combat capacity. Major General Samaila Uba, the military’s spokesperson, told the Wall Street Journal earlier this week that the deployment would involve approximately 200 US personnel.
“These personnel do not serve in a combat capacity and will not assume a direct operational role,” Uba later told the New York Times. He added that Nigerian forces would retain full command authority over all missions conducted on Nigerian territory.
According to Uba, Nigerian commanders will continue to make all operational decisions, while US personnel will serve in advisory and support roles at multiple sites across the country.
The deployment follows recommendations made by a joint US-Nigeria working group, Uba said, suggesting months of behind-the-scenes coordination rather than a sudden policy shift. The advisory nature of the mission reflects longstanding military cooperation between Washington and Abuja, particularly in areas such as intelligence sharing, logistics, and training.
US officials have not disclosed precise locations beyond Maiduguri, citing security concerns. However, the use of multiple sites suggests a distributed presence rather than a single concentrated base.
The troop arrival comes after sustained pressure from former US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized Nigeria’s government over its handling of security challenges. Trump has accused Nigerian authorities of failing to protect Christian communities from attacks by Islamist militants and armed groups.
While Nigerian officials have not directly linked the deployment to those criticisms, the timing has drawn attention. Analysts note that the advisory mission allows Washington to signal concern over security conditions without committing US forces to combat operations.
For Nigeria, the presence of US troops in an advisory role reinforces existing security partnerships while maintaining sovereignty over military operations. For the United States, the deployment offers a way to increase engagement in West Africa amid growing instability, without escalating into direct involvement on the battlefield.
As additional flights arrive in the coming weeks, attention will likely focus on how closely US advisers integrate with Nigerian forces and whether the cooperation produces measurable improvements in intelligence coordination and operational effectiveness.
