THREE US MILITARY JETS LAND IN BORNO OVER INSECURITY CONCERNS

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By: Fasasi Hammad

Three United States military aircraft have touched down at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Sahel security analyst, Brant Philip, shared on X on Saturday that six US Air Force cargo planes arrived in West Africa between February 6 and 14, 2026, in preparation for a potential US-supported offensive against the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Nigeria’s northeast.

Philip explained that all six aircraft first stopped in Accra, Ghana, before five proceeded to Nigerian Air Force bases. Of these, one C-17A landed at Kainji Airbase, while one C-130J-30 and three C-17A aircraft arrived at Maiduguri Airbase in Borno State.

He detailed:

“Between February 6 and 14, six US Air Force cargo planes landed in West Africa, all stopping first in Accra, Ghana. Five subsequently landed at Nigerian Air Force bases, while the sixth aircraft arrived today and is expected to follow the route to the northeast.

– 1x C-17A to Kainji Airbase
– 1x C-130J-30 to Maiduguri Airbase, Borno
– 3x C-17A to Maiduguri Airbase, Borno
All aircraft departed their respective bases on the same day they landed.”

Maiduguri Airbase is seen as the primary hub for coordinated support to the Nigerian military in operations against ISWAP, which maintains a presence in several rural areas of Borno State.

Separately, the media reported on February 10 that American and Nigerian officials plan to deploy approximately 200 US troops to Nigeria.

Neither the Nigerian military nor US authorities have officially commented on the recent arrivals.