US Operates Multiple Q-9 Drones In Nigeria – Report

The United States has deployed 200 troops and multiple MQ-9 drones to Nigeria to help in intelligence gathering and training for anti- insurgency operations, Reuters reported yesterday.

It said the US mission would be limited to surveillance and advisory roles, with no troops in frontline operations and no drone strikes currently being conducted.

The agency quoted US and Nigerian officials as saying,  “The US military has multiple MQ-9 drones operating in Nigeria alongside 200 troops to provide training and intelligence support to the military.”

It said the deployment was at the request of the Nigerian authorities to enhance support in identifying and tracking terrorist threats.

A US defence official, quoted by Reuters, described the collaboration as a joint effort against a common threat. “We see this as a shared security threat,” the official said, noting that the mission is restricted to intelligence collection and advisory support.

Nigeria’s Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the US personnel were operating from an airfield in Bauchi State.

“This support builds on the newly established US-Nigeria intelligence fusion cell, which continues to deliver actionable intelligence to our field commanders. Our US partners remain in a strictly non-combat role, enabling operations led by Nigerian authorities,” he said.

The MQ-9 drones, also known as Reaper drones, are capable of extended high-altitude operations and can be used for both surveillance and strike missions. However, officials told Reuters that the platforms currently deployed in Nigeria are being used strictly for intelligence purposes.