Some 100 U.S. troopers are being deployed to Nigeria as a part of elevated navy cooperation to battle insecurity within the West African nation, the Nigerian Defence Ministry introduced Monday (February 16, 2026).
The Ministry didn’t specify when the “U.S. navy trainers” arrived or have been attributable to arrive.
“The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) needs to announce the arrival of about 100 United States navy personnel and related gear at Bauchi Airfield,” the assertion mentioned.
“The arrival is deliberate and deliberate following a proper request by the Federal Authorities of Nigeria to the U.S. authorities to assist a clearly outlined navy coaching requirement, technical assist and intelligence sharing with the members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
Nigeria is going through a longstanding jihadist insurgency within the northeast, a battle between farmers and herders in north-central areas, separatist violence within the southeast, and kidnappings for ransom within the northwest.
U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Christians in Nigeria are being “persecuted” and are victims of “genocide” perpetrated by “terrorists”.
However Abuja and most impartial consultants say the violence in Nigeria indiscriminately impacts each Christians and Muslims.
On December 25, the U.S. navy carried out airstrikes in Nigeria’s Sokoto State. Nigerian authorities subsequently mentioned the motion was coordinated with them and it focused Islamic State jihadists.
For the introduced deployment, Nigeria’s DHQ mentioned: “The U.S. personnel are technical specialists serving strictly in an advisory and coaching capability. They don’t seem to be fight forces.”
Revealed – February 17, 2026 04:53 am IST