US MILITARY AIRCRAFT DELIVERS COUNTERTERRORISM EQUIPMENT TO NIGERIA
• C-17 makes deliveries in Lagos, Kainji
• AFRICOM says shipment is part of foreign military sales deal
• Washington says assistance respects Nigeria’s sovereignty
By PHC Telegraph
A United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster III has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force as Washington and Abuja deepen cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The equipment was delivered in Lagos and at Kainji in Niger State in September under an existing Foreign Military Sales arrangement between the two countries.
The United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, confirmed the delivery on Thursday, September 10, saying the equipment was intended to enhance Nigerian-led counterterrorism efforts in the region.
AFRICOM did not disclose the precise nature, quantity or value of the equipment delivered by the giant American military transport aircraft.
It said the delivery formed part of a foreign military sales agreement between the American and Nigerian militaries and was designed to further the strategic partnership between both countries.
The latest shipment comes against the background of growing security cooperation between Abuja and Washington involving equipment, intelligence sharing, counterterrorism operations and military capacity building.
The United States stressed that its military support is being provided at Nigeria’s invitation and is based on respect for the country’s sovereignty.
Kainji has emerged as an important centre of Nigeria-US military cooperation.
The air base hosts Nigeria’s fleet of American-built A-29 Super Tucano aircraft acquired primarily to strengthen operations against insurgents and terrorist organisations.
The United States previously financed and constructed facilities worth about $38 million at the base to support the aircraft, including maintenance facilities, hangars, ammunition storage and mission-planning infrastructure.
Nigeria and the United States have expanded their security relationship considerably in 2026.
In January, officials from both countries held the inaugural US-Nigeria Joint Working Group on strategic coordination and counterterrorism in Abuja, while another meeting held in Washington in August reviewed progress in intelligence gathering, counterterrorism, terror financing, border control and the protection of vulnerable communities.
The latest delivery is therefore seen as another indication that the security relationship between Africa’s most populous nation and the United States is entering a more operational phase.
It remains unclear whether the latest consignment is connected with any of Nigeria’s outstanding American weapons purchases.
Washington has previously approved major arms packages for Nigeria, including attack helicopters and precision munitions.
There has, however, been no official confirmation that any of those weapons formed part of the cargo delivered by the C-17.
