The United States military has stepped up security cooperation with Nigeria, commencing specialised training for Nigerian troops in unmanned aircraft systems, battlefield casualty care, explosives disposal, and small-unit combat operations.
The programme, being conducted at a US-Nigeria Operating Location in Bauchi State, is aimed at strengthening the operational capabilities and readiness of Nigerian forces while building longer-term military cooperation between both countries.
The United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, disclosed details of the programme in a report released late Monday, saying American personnel were working directly with their Nigerian counterparts across several areas of military expertise.
The training covers Combat Lifesaver and Tactical Combat Casualty Care, weapons familiarisation, camouflage, water treatment and testing, explosive ordnance disposal, small-unit tactics, and unmanned aircraft systems.
According to AFRICOM, Nigerian military commanders selected the areas they considered most relevant from training options offered by US personnel based on their expertise.
Capt. Gabriel Feingold, a logistics officer with the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, and operations officer at the Bauchi location, said the programme was structured around Nigeria’s operational requirements.
“We bring them a list of several different training topics, and they select what they think would be most beneficial for them,” Feingold said.
Training in unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, has generated particular interest among Nigerian personnel.
Sgt. Mark Murphy, an intelligence analyst assigned to the US Army’s 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, trained about ten personnel of the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces Regiment in the use of the systems.
The session began with approximately 45 minutes of classroom instruction before the Nigerian personnel moved to practical exercises involving the operation of the aircraft.
Murphy also trained the troops on deploying the unmanned systems operationally and incorporating intelligence gathered by the aircraft into military missions.
“They were really excited with being able to get hands-on time with it,” Murphy said, adding that the Nigerian personnel had requested further training.
The programme comes as Nigeria continues to confront multiple security threats, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of armed violence across different parts of the country.
Unmanned aircraft have increasingly become important to modern counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations because of their ability to provide surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence to troops operating in difficult terrain.
Beyond the technical training, AFRICOM said the Bauchi engagement was intended to improve interoperability and strengthen relationships between American and Nigerian military personnel.
Feingold said interaction between troops at the operational level was particularly valuable in developing enduring military relationships.
“It helps build relationships between Soldiers and the partner force, especially at the lower levels,” he said.
The cooperation has also extended beyond formal training sessions, with American and Nigerian personnel participating in recreational activities, including basketball and volleyball, whenever operational schedules and weather permit.
AFRICOM said the two countries were already developing additional training opportunities in Bauchi as they identify further areas in which personnel can exchange expertise and strengthen military capabilities.
The latest programme underscores continuing defence and intelligence cooperation between Abuja and Washington following recent joint counterterrorism engagements.
In July, AFRICOM disclosed that the United States had withdrawn most of the personnel deployed to Nigeria for a specific counterterrorism operation.
The drawdown, however, did not end the wider security relationship between the two countries, with intelligence sharing and other forms of military cooperation continuing.
The Bauchi programme represents another phase of that partnership, with emphasis on transferring specialised operational skills to Nigerian personnel and strengthening their capacity to confront evolving security threats.
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