DHQ CALMS CONCERNS OVER US DRONE DEPLOYMENT TO NIGERIA
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The Defence Headquarters has dismissed reports suggesting that the United States plans to relocate its drone base from Niger Republic to Nigeria, describing the claims as false.
The response follows a Reuters report stating that the US has deployed several MQ-9 drones, along with about 200 personnel, to Nigeria to provide training and intelligence support to the military in its counter-terrorism operations.
According to the report, the MQ-9, also known as Reaper drones, can remain airborne for over 27 hours at high altitude and are equipped for both surveillance and precision strikes.
Reuters also reported that the Director of Defence Information at the DHQ, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, confirmed the presence of US-operated assets at the Bauchi Airfield in the North-East.
He was quoted as saying that the support builds on the recently established US–Nigeria intelligence fusion cell, which continues to provide actionable intelligence to field commanders, stressing that US personnel remain in a strictly non-combat role, supporting operations led by Nigerian authorities.
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The report added that the troops are not embedded with Nigerian frontline units and that the drones are being used for intelligence gathering rather than carrying out airstrikes.
Responding to concerns that the deployment signalled plans to move a US drone base to Nigeria, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, said there was no evidence to support such claims.
Onoja dismissed the claims, stating that any drones in operation are under the authority of the Nigerian military and that engagements with US forces remain strictly collaborative.
He added that there have been no discussions about relocating any US drone base to Nigeria, assuring that the public would be duly informed if such a move were ever considered.
The Defence Headquarters had earlier confirmed, on February 16, 2026, the deployment of about 100 US military personnel and equipment to Bauchi State.
According to the military, the American personnel are technical specialists assigned to training, intelligence sharing and advisory roles, emphasising that they are not involved in direct combat operations against militant groups.
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