By Ebi Kesiena
The United States military has deployed multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones alongside about 200 personnel to Nigeria to strengthen intelligence gathering and training support in the fight against insurgency.
According to a report by Reuters, the deployment is focused on enhancing surveillance and operational capacity as Nigerian forces continue to battle Islamist militants, particularly in the northern region.
The MQ-9 Reaper, also known as Predator, is a long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle capable of staying airborne for up to 27 hours. It is widely used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and can also conduct precision strikes. However, officials clarified that the drones currently operating in Nigeria are strictly being used for intelligence-gathering purposes, not combat missions.
Confirming the development, Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information at Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, disclosed that U.S. assets are being operated from an airfield in Bauchi in the country’s northeast.
He explained that the collaboration builds on a recently established U.S.-Nigeria intelligence fusion cell designed to provide actionable intelligence to field commanders.
“Our U.S. partners remain in a strictly non-combat role, enabling operations led by Nigerian authorities,” Uba stated, emphasizing that Nigerian forces retain full operational control.
The deployment comes amid ongoing efforts to curb insurgency.
