Defense Headquarters reacts to reports that the US plans to relocate a drone base to Nigeria

Defense Headquarters has described as untrue reports that the United States plans to relocate its drone base, previously located in Niger Republic, to Nigeria.

Director of Defense Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said there was no evidence to support the claim.

The denial followed a Reuters report that the US had deployed several MQ-9 drones to Nigeria, along with about 200 troops, to provide training and intelligence support to the Nigerian military in its fight against terrorism.

According to the report, the MQ-9 drone, also known as the Reaper drone, can loiter at high altitudes for more than 27 hours and is capable of intelligence gathering and airstrikes.

Reuters has reported that the Director of Defense Information at DHQ, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed that the US operates assets from Bauchi Airfield in the northeast.

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

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The report noted that the troops were not integrated into Nigerian frontline units and that the drones were gathering intelligence rather than carrying out airstrikes.

But reacting, Onoja said, “This is not true. All drones, if any, operate under the auspices of the Nigerian military. Our engagement with US forces is collaborative,” Onoja said.

He added that there had been no discussions regarding relocating the US drone base to Nigeria.

“No. There is no such discussion. Nigerians will be informed when such action will be taken,” he said.

Defense Headquarters earlier, on February 16, 2026, confirmed the deployment of approximately 100 US military personnel and equipment to Bauchi State.

The military high command explained that the American personnel were technical specialists deployed for training, intelligence sharing and advisory roles, and stressed that they were not involved in direct combat operations against militant groups.