US Intensifies Military Training for Nigerian Troops in Bauchi

US Military Boosts Support for Nigeria’s Fight Against Insurgency

US Intensifies Military Training for Nigerian Troops in Bauchi

American forces have intensified military training for Nigerian troops in unmanned aircraft systems, combat casualty care, and other critical battlefield skills as part of a broader security cooperation mission aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s operational capacity against terrorism and other security threats.

The training is being conducted at Operating Location Bauchi in Bauchi State, with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirming that the exercises are designed to share military expertise, strengthen partner capacity, and build relationships between service members from both nations. According to AFRICOM, the programme covers Combat Lifesaver and Tactical Combat Casualty Care instruction, weapons familiarisation, camouflage, water treatment and testing, explosive ordnance disposal, small-unit tactics, and unmanned aircraft systems training. Captain Gabriel Feingold, a logistics officer assigned to the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, and operations officer at Operating Location Bauchi, explained that the training programme was developed based on areas Nigerian commanders identified as beneficial. “We bring them a list of several different training topics, and they select what they think would be most beneficial for them,” Feingold said.

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Unmanned aircraft systems generated particular interest among Nigerian forces, with Sergeant Mark Murphy, an intelligence analyst assigned to the 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, leading approximately 10 members of the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces Regiment through the training. The session began with about 45 minutes of classroom instruction before the Nigerian personnel received hands-on training on operating the aircraft. Murphy also taught the participants techniques for employing unmanned aircraft systems and incorporating intelligence gathered through the platforms into military operations. “They were really excited with being able to get hands-on time with it,” Murphy said, adding that the Nigerian personnel expressed interest in receiving further training on the system.

Beyond technical and operational skills, the joint exercises have created opportunities for American and Nigerian service members to build relationships and improve interoperability. Feingold noted that the interactions were particularly valuable at the lower levels of both forces. “It helps build relationships between Soldiers and the partner force, especially at the lower levels,” he said. According to AFRICOM, US and Nigerian personnel also participate in basketball and volleyball when operational commitments and weather permit, providing additional opportunities to strengthen their relationship. Sergeant Murphy observed that the training made interaction easier, saying, “Now it’s a lot easier to interact with them. They come up, they say hi to me, they talk about the training that we did.”

The Bauchi training represents a continuation of the broader US-Nigeria security partnership. In July 2026, AFRICOM disclosed that the US had withdrawn most troops deployed to Nigeria for a specific counterterrorism operation, while retaining an intelligence-sharing and security cooperation arrangement with the Nigerian military. The US has approximately 200 military personnel and several MQ-9 Reaper drones at the Bauchi airbase for training, intelligence, and support functions in the fight against jihadist militants in northern Nigeria. Additional training opportunities are being developed at Operating Location Bauchi as both sides continue identifying areas where their personnel can share expertise and train together.