AMID surging attacks across Borno and Niger states as well as other parts of the country, reports of the arrival of United States troops in Nigeria have sparked cautious optimism and growing anxiety, as communities grapple with fresh killings and questions over the country’s security direction.

International media reports over the weekend indicated that United States military aircraft and an initial batch of American troops have arrived in North-East Nigeria, in what observers describe as a possible expansion of counter-terrorism cooperation between Nigeria and Washington.

According to a report by The New York Times, a U.S. military aircraft touched down in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Thursday night, with additional aircraft and personnel expected as part of a phased deployment arrangement. The newspaper reported that the first wave of U.S. military personnel had arrived in Nigeria, noting that more aircraft were sighted at the Maiduguri base by Friday evening, with equipment and personnel reportedly offloaded.

Citing U.S. defence officials, the report said the troops form part of an estimated deployment of about 200 intelligence analysts, advisers and trainers assigned to support Nigeria’s armed forces in planning, intelligence gathering and other non-combat counter-terrorism roles.

A United States Department of Defense official was quoted as describing the flights as “the vanguard of what will be a stream of C-17 transport flights into three main locations across Nigeria,” suggesting that further movements may follow in the coming weeks.

The report also indicated that Nigerian defence authorities had emphasised that U.S. personnel would not participate in direct combat operations, with operational command and control remaining solely with Nigerian security forces.

While operational details remain limited, security observers said the development aligns with existing bilateral defence engagements between both countries, largely centred on training, intelligence sharing and technical support in the fight against extremist groups operating in the Lake Chad Basin, including factions linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

As of press time, however, there was no official statement from the Presidency or the Nigerian military confirming or denying the reported arrival, leaving the full scope and mandate of the alleged deployment unclear.

Casualties feared as ISWAP attacks military camp in Borno, gunmen kill dozens in Niger

NEWS of the U.S. deployment came as several casualties were feared among military personnel after suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked a Nigerian military camp in Pulka, Borno State, late Saturday night.

Eyewitnesses said the assault lasted about one and a half hours, with heavy gunfire echoing across the town. Data from the Fire Incident and Risk Management System indicated that the camp was set ablaze during the attack.

Security operatives reportedly responded, but as of press time, official figures on casualties or the outcome of any counter-operation had not been released.

The incident came a day after suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters abducted five civilians in Doro Baga, Kukawa Local Council of Borno State.

The attack reportedly occurred at about 7:00 a.m. on Friday when armed militants stormed a local fish market and seized five residents who were purchasing fresh fish.

Security expert Zagazola Makama disclosed the incident, quoting sources familiar with the development. The victims were said to have been taken to an unknown destination, causing panic in the fishing community, which has witnessed repeated insurgent attacks around the Lake Chad region.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai under Sector 3, alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and local hunters, were said to have responded after receiving distress calls. Security sources indicated that intelligence had been gathered on the attackers’ movement and the possible location of the abducted victims.

Also, gunmen on motorcycles reportedly killed at least 46 people and abducted several others in raids on three villages in Borgu Local Council of Niger State, bordering Kwara and Katsina states.

A humanitarian source told AFP that the deadliest assault occurred in Konkoso village, where at least 38 people were allegedly killed. Homes were also set ablaze, with additional bodies said to be recovered.

Confirming the attack in Tunga-Makeri village, the Niger State Police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said:

Suspected bandits invaded Tunga-Makeri village. Six persons lost their lives, some houses were also set ablaze, and a yet-to-be ascertained number of persons were abducted.”

Residents also alleged that the Tungadaji community suffered heavy casualties, although the figures could not be independently verified.

The attacks underscore the worsening security crisis in northern Nigeria, where insurgent groups and armed gangs continue to target communities despite ongoing military operations.

Nigerians react to killings, U.S. deployment

MEANWHILE, Nigerians have continued to react to the ongoing violence and the deployment by the U.S. military.

A security analyst, Mr Alli Hakeem, put the figure of killings across various theatres after the joint Nigerian-U.S. airstrikes at no fewer than 2,000.

He said some of the killings were not reported by the media.

Hakeem added that the continued violence was part of an agenda to balkanise the country, blaming sponsors of terrorism for the situation.

Commenting on the rising attacks, a Public Affairs Commentator, Mr Nengi James, said the terrorists were seeking to prove their continued relevance despite America’s arrival.

He, however, expressed concern that the intervention might be forcing the terrorists to migrate.

They are moving from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere. So the increase in attacks and killings is expected because they will continue to show that they are in existence, that nobody can finish them.

“They are everywhere. So, I think it is now left for our Chief of Defence Staff or the Minister of Defence and others to do well in the operations, both covert and overt. Modalities of operations should change.”

James said the jihadists, rather than focusing solely on the North-West and North-East, were moving towards central parts of the country.

“You know what is happening already in Plateau and in Benue. They are now moving to Kwara. Beyond the North-East and North-West, they are now moving to take over those areas because they see that the Americans might want to concentrate on the North-West and North-East,” he said.

He described the coming of the U.S. as positive for Nigeria, noting that it reflects ongoing security collaboration between the two nations.

On the deployment of U.S. troops and aircraft, James urged intelligence sharing, cooperation and proper coordination between Nigeria and America, which he said are central to tackling terrorism.

He also described the North-Central region as a gateway linking the southern and northern parts of the country.

THE senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, has alleged that the recent rise in banditry in parts of the country is being orchestrated by forces seeking to frustrate the 2027 general elections.

Karimi, in a statement issued by his Media Officer, Mr Busayo Tosin, said that despite proactive responses by security agencies to insurgency and terrorism, the persistence of attacks suggests a deeper political motive.

Tosin noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission last week released the timetable for the 2027 polls, with presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday February 20, 2027, and governorship and state assembly elections slated for Saturday, March 6, 2027.

He added that concerns had been raised over the overlap between the electoral calendar and the Muslim Ramadan fast, which will run from February 7 to March 8, 2027, and that INEC may approach the National Assembly if adjustments become necessary.

The statement said security operations were ongoing in Kwara, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue and Taraba states, where President Bola Tinubu, through the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Waidi Shaibu, has deployed special battalions.

“Nonetheless, kidnappers, murderers and terrorists continue to fester in parts of the country, leaving trails of anguish, blood and devastation,” the statement said.

It cited the weekend parade of about 200 captives by a terrorist group in Kwara State following an attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Council, adding that written threats had forced residents of parts of Kwara South to flee their homes and farmlands.

Karimi said there was a nexus between the insecurity and the forthcoming elections, alleging that “certain interests and tendencies are resolved to continue to make the country ungovernable with the ultimate aim of disrupting the forthcoming general elections”.

He argued that the alleged plot was unfolding despite what he described as economic improvements under the Tinubu administration, including increased foreign reserves and currency stability.

The senator also highlighted foreign collaboration in security matters, including intelligence-led operations and military partnerships with neighbouring countries.

He expressed optimism that ongoing military reorganisation and recruitment of 50,000 police constables would strengthen security.

Karimi assured that the National Assembly would continue to support the President to ensure credible elections in 2027, stating that the country would overcome its security challenges.

ADC faults Tinubu over Argungu festival attendance amid rising killings

FOR its part, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) criticised President Bola Tinubu for attending a fishing festival in Argungu while insecurity persists across parts of the country, with about 1,300 Nigerians reportedly killed in 41 days and hundreds of others still in captivity.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party accused the President of losing control of the security situation and misplacing priorities at a time when funeral processions were increasing nationwide.

The African Democratic Congress is deeply troubled by the continued deterioration of the security situation in parts of the country, particularly in Kwara State.

“We are especially concerned that at a time of rising insecurity, the President and Commander-in-Chief was in Argungu attending a fishing festival, even as credible reports indicate that nearly 1,300 Nigerians have been killed in the last 41 days. Once again, innocent Nigerians and their families are left to bear the tragic brunt of terror while the President fiddles away at a festival,” the statement read.

The party also expressed concern over a video allegedly linked to the recent abductions in Kaiama Local Council of Kwara State, in which insurgents were seen challenging official figures on the number of kidnapped victims.

According to the ADC, the development suggested a brazen attempt by armed groups to seize control of the insecurity narrative.

The opposition party warned that the growing boldness of armed groups within the Kwara corridor indicated that the government might be losing control of a strategic area that could provide terrorists with access to other parts of the country.

“It will be recalled that the southern part of Kwara State has been under sustained terrorist pressure since last year. Now, with attacks spreading northward at scale, terrorists appear to be tightening their grip on the state and exploiting it as a potential haven. The implications for the wider country are both clear and alarming. It is therefore shocking that the President could choose to attend a fishing festival while terrorists threaten to expand their operations,” the party added.

The ADC highlighted the strategic significance of the Kaiama axis, noting that it provides a direct link into Oyo State. The party further stated that when non-state actors publicly contradict official figures, it signals a troubling erosion of deterrence and raises concerns about the management of security and information.

“But this could only mean one thing: the terrorists now view kidnapping as a commercial enterprise, and they are determined not to be short-changed in the ransom negotiations they expect will follow,” the statement added.

The ADC reiterated its longstanding position against the payment of ransom, warning that it risks entrenching the criminal economy that sustains mass abductions.

While stressing that the safe return of victims remains paramount, the party said disguising ransom payments as rescue operations could create incentives for future attacks.

It called on the Federal Government to mount a coordinated rescue operation, provide a transparent public briefing on the number of victims, conduct a security audit of the Kaiama and Kainji Lake forest corridor, strengthen interstate security coordination across Kwara, Niger and Oyo states, and maintain regular public communication to restore confidence.

The party said Nigerians were tired of what it described as repeated assurances on security while killings persist.

“What the country needs is a government and a president who demonstrably care and will do everything necessary to protect the people. That urgency is tragically lacking under the present administration.

“The ADC will continue to hold the Federal Government accountable while supporting every credible effort to defeat terrorism and reclaim every part of our national territory. Nigeria must never appear weak in the face of terror.” (The Guardian)

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