By: Manoah Kikekon
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| C-17 Globemaster III |
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — The landscape of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency effort shifted significantly this week as three United States military aircraft arrived at the Nigerian Air Force base in Maiduguri. The arrival of the C-17 Globemaster III and C-130J Super Hercules transport planes marks the "vanguard" of a strategic deployment aimed at dismantling jihadist networks and restoring stability across West Africa.
The first aircraft touched down late Thursday night, February 12, 2026, followed by two more by Friday evening. This operation is the first major physical manifestation of a bilateral agreement between the Biden-Trump transition era policies and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, following a series of high-level security talks in Abuja earlier this year.
The deployment consists of approximately 100 US troops arriving this weekend, with the total number expected to reach 200 personnel in the coming weeks. However, Major General Samaila Uba, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, was quick to clarify the parameters of the mission to prevent any misconceptions regarding national sovereignty.
"These personnel do not serve in a combat capacity and will not assume a direct operational role," General Uba stated. "Nigerian forces retain full command authority, make all operational decisions, and will lead all missions on Nigerian sovereign territory."
The US forces, primarily intelligence analysts and tactical trainers, will focus on enhancing the Nigerian military's capability to coordinate air strikes and ground maneuvers simultaneously a critical gap in past operations against ISWAP and Boko Haram.
Beyond personnel, the aircraft have begun offloading massive quantities of ammunition and specialized gear. This influx of equipment is part of a broader logistical "stream" intended to replenish Nigerian stocks exhausted by years of persistent conflict.
Security experts tracking the deployment noted that while Maiduguri serves as the primary hub for northeastern operations, other aircraft have touched down at Kainji Air Base and Kaduna International Airport. The spread suggests a multi-front strategy targeting not only the Lake Chad region but also the Middle Belt, where resource-based conflicts have frequently spiraled into ethnic and religious violence.
The current mission builds on the momentum of a "rapid shift" in US-Nigeria relations following US-supported airstrikes against Islamist militants last Christmas. Washington has increasingly focused on what it calls the "protection of vulnerable communities," particularly in the Middle Belt, following intense diplomatic pressure from international activists and Republican lawmakers in the US.
The joint operation focuses on three main pillars: Intelligence Sharing: Utilizing US surveillance data to identify high-value terrorist targets. Infrastructure: Establishing secure, encrypted communication lines between command centers. Rescue Operations: Training Nigerian special forces in advanced navigation and personnel recovery.
As additional C-17 flights are expected over the next fortnight, the presence of foreign boots even in an advisory role signals a new phase in Nigeria's security architecture. For residents of Maiduguri, the sight of the massive American transport planes is a visual reminder of the internationalization of the fight against insurgency.