U.S. Deploys MQ‑9 Drones to Nigeria to Support Fight Against Boko Haram, ISWAP

U.S. Deploys MQ‑9 Drones to Nigeria to Support Fight Against Boko Haram, ISWAP
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The United States has deployed MQ‑9 Reaper drones to Nigeria as part of efforts to support Nigerian security forces in gathering intelligence and strengthening capacity against armed insurgent groups, officials and defense analysts said.

The deployment comes alongside a contingent of U.S. personnel sent earlier in 2026 to assist with training and surveillance operations. U.S. officials have emphasized that the mission is non‑combat in nature, focused on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) rather than direct strike operations.

The drones will assist Nigerian forces in monitoring the activities of militant groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, which have been responsible for prolonged violence and instability in the country’s northeast.

Analysts warned that the presence of U.S. military assets, including drones, could fuel concern among armed groups and potentially heighten tensions in affected regions. Experts also noted that the support role reflects the challenges faced by Nigerian forces in countering insurgency with limited resources.