No fewer than three United States military aircraft reportedly landed in Nigeria between Thursday and Friday, delivering ammunition and operational logistics to support ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
Military sources said the aircraft touched down at bases in Borno State and other locations in the region as part of bilateral security cooperation between United States and Nigeria.
Senior officers disclosed that the deliveries were meant to replenish military stock after recent operations against insurgents.
One officer said the intervention followed ongoing Nigeria-US security engagements and would involve logistics support and possible deployment of personnel for technical assistance.
Another officer noted that replenishment of ammunition was routine after field operations and suggested further deliveries could follow.
A report by The New York Times indicated that American aircraft landed in Maiduguri, with equipment seen being offloaded at a military base.
The report added that the flights could form part of a broader stream of transport missions into multiple locations across Nigeria.
Online security trackers also claimed that a US Air Force transport aircraft landed at Kaduna International Airport after departing from Ghana, fuelling speculation about possible training collaboration between American personnel and Nigerian forces.
The development comes amid expanding security ties between both countries.
US President Donald Trump had previously warned of possible intervention if Nigeria failed to halt attacks on Christian communities, while Washington later carried out an airstrike targeting Islamic State fighters in Sokoto State.
Security analysts say the latest deployments are not a combat mission but aimed at technical support. Retired intelligence officer Chris Andrew explained that American personnel were likely to provide expertise in drone operations, surveillance and precision targeting rather than frontline fighting.
He noted that Nigeria’s recent air operations had improved following collaboration with US counterparts, adding that advanced training and intelligence sharing could strengthen counter-terrorism efforts.
Another security expert, Chidi Omeje, described the cooperation as a product of Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement, stressing that any partnership enhancing the country’s security capacity should be welcomed, provided national sovereignty is respected.
Omeje cautioned against foreign forces operating independently on Nigerian soil, but acknowledged that citizens facing terrorism and banditry were primarily concerned with restoring safety and stability.
