Headline

US Military Aircraft Drops Ammo In Borno

Published

3 months ago

February 15, 2026

No fewer than three United States military aircraft landed in Nigeria between Thursday and Friday, according to The PUNCH.

The aircraft, it was gathered, landed at military bases in Borno and other northeastern states.

Senior officers at the Defence Headquarters disclosed that the aircraft carried ammunition sent to Nigeria by the American government.

The officers, in separate interviews, said the development was part of US interventions to support Nigeria in the fight against insecurity.

“Following Nigeria-US bilateral talks on security, the American government will not only deploy soldiers but also provide necessary logistics, including ammunition, to fight the insurgents,” one of the officers who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

Another high ranking officer explained that the delivery was part of operational logistics, noting that the military often requires replenishment of ammunition after operations.

“I know that recently US aircraft came to supply ammunition for our platforms, and that wasn’t the first time. So, what you are saying may be true, though I have not been officially briefed.

“We go for operations and use different calibres of ammunition, which need to be replaced.

“The US and the Nigerian government, under the coordination of the NSA, are working together to end insecurity in the country. So, we should expect more deployments of aircraft and troops,” he added.

The New York Times on Saturday reported that US military aircraft landed in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Thursday night.

By Friday evening, the paper reported that three planes could be seen at the base, with equipment being offloaded from one.

“These initial flights are the vanguard of what will be a stream of C-17 transport flights into three main locations across Nigeria,” a US Department of Defense official told the newspaper.

An X account @mobilisingniger, operated by a user who claimed to be a counter-terrorism expert, also disclosed on Friday that a US Air Force military transport aircraft C30J landed at the Kaduna International Airport after departing from Ghana.

It suggested that the Kaduna Depot might serve as a potential training hub for US personnel deployed to train the Nigerian military.

“A US Air Force military transport aircraft C30J has landed at Kaduna International Airport after departing from Ghana earlier this (Friday) evening. The movement is fuelling speculation that US personnel may utilise the Kaduna Depot as a potential training hub in collaboration with the Nigerian military. This signals a potential deepening of US–Nigeria security engagement amid ongoing regional security challenges,” the post read.

Another user, Brant Philip, who claimed to be a tracker on X, said there had been a “massive delivery of equipment” to the Maiduguri Airbase, Borno State.

“The US Air Force C-130J-30 cargo aircraft flew to northeast Nigeria today (Friday) from Accra, Ghana, following the same route as the two previous C-17A, a mass delivery of equipment seems to be ongoing,” he wrote.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, had yet to respond to an inquiry on the matter as of the time of filing this report.

US deploys military officers

The United States President, Donald Trump, had in 2025 declared that he would send military forces to Nigeria if the government failed to stop what he described as genocide against Christians.

Following his threat and the declaration of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, the US carried out an airstrike on Islamic State fighters in Sokoto State on Christmas Day.

Both the US and Nigeria have since deepened engagements on enhancing security in the country.

Earlier, it was reported that 200 US officers would be deployed in Nigeria.

The New York Times reported that the first wave of personnel had arrived in the country.

It stated that the development marked the beginning of a deployment of the 200 American intelligence analysts, advisers and trainers to assist the country’s armed forces in targeted counterterrorism operations, partly aimed at protecting Nigerian Christians.

The New York Times further disclosed that several additional aircraft carrying troops and equipment were expected to land over the weekend, with the flow continuing in the coming weeks.

Experts react

Reacting to the development, a retired officer of the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps, Chris Andrew, said the reported arrival of US personnel should not be misconstrued as a combat deployment.

According to him, the Americans were not bringing fighting troops but technical expertise, particularly in drone operations and precision air capabilities.

Andrew said, “It is what it is—nothing more, nothing less. They are not bringing combat troops. Recently, Nigeria has been engaging countries like Turkey and others on drone technology. We already operate locally made drones and Chinese-made drones, but when it comes to advanced drone technology, the West—especially the United States—has the capacity to train us effectively.”

He noted that Nigeria’s recent air operations had shown significant improvement following engagements with the United States, particularly after the Christmas Day bombardment of terrorist hideouts.

“They did not buy us aircraft or attack helicopters. What they are doing is teaching us how to carry out operations with precision,” he said.

Andrew also disclosed that he had heard the US might establish a drone base in Nigeria, a move he described as long overdue, especially following the withdrawal of American forces from Niger.

He said, “With the exit of the United States from Niger, which hosted their drone base, I expected Nigeria to seize that opportunity. Some people ask what the US wants in return, but that is not the issue. The issue is terrorism. Even if they want everything in return, at least they are helping to solve one major problem.”

He added that if he were advising the government, he would support relocating such a facility to the Sambisa Forest, arguing that its presence would significantly deter terrorist activities.

Also speaking, a security expert, Chidi Omeje, described the development as a success of Nigeria’s soft diplomacy.

According to him, failure to properly engage the United States could have been diplomatically damaging for Nigeria.

Omeje said, “It would have been humiliating if Nigeria had not engaged properly. I am glad the government remained calm and turned the initial aggression from the Trump-era rhetoric into partnership and mutual respect.”

“He said the bilateral discussions must have clearly defined the scope of the US deployment, stressing that any support that enhances Nigeria’s capacity should be welcomed. If it is training, intelligence support or technology-driven intelligence, whatever increases our capacity and helps our troops do their job is welcome.”

However, Omeje cautioned that Nigeria must retain full sovereignty over any cooperation.

“What would not be acceptable is humiliation—foreign troops operating without our consent or bombs being dropped on our territory without approval,” he said.

He added that Nigerians bearing the brunt of terrorism, banditry and insurgency were more concerned about solutions than the method.

“If this partnership helps us stamp out terrorism and violent crime, then it is acceptable. People at the receiving end just want their lives back,” he said.
(PUNCH)

Headline

FG Summons S. African Envoy Over Rising Xenophobic Attacks On Nigerians

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

The Federal Government has summoned the Acting High Commissioner of South Africa in Abuja over renewed concerns about xenophobic attacks and protests targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians, living in that country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the envoy is expected at its headquarters on Monday, May 4, 2026, for a high-level engagement aimed at addressing the growing tension and safeguarding bilateral relations between both countries.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said Nigeria would formally express its “profound concern” over recent developments in South Africa, particularly reports of harassment, violence, and destruction of property belonging to foreign nationals.

According to the ministry, the meeting will focus on ongoing demonstrations by various groups in South Africa and documented cases of attacks on Nigerians and their businesses in parts of the country.

“The objective of this engagement is to formally convey the Nigerian Government’s profound concern regarding recent events that have the potential to impact the established cordial relations between Nigeria and South Africa,” the statement read.

It added that discussions would also address ongoing demonstrations by various groups within South Africa and documented instances of mistreatment of Nigerian citizens and attacks on their businesses.

The ministry acknowledged growing anger among Nigerians over reports of xenophobic violence but urged restraint, stressing that diplomatic engagement remained the preferred channel for resolution.

It assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was actively engaging South African authorities to ensure the protection of its citizens abroad.

“The Ministry is aware of the growing discontent among Nigerians concerning the treatment of their nationals in South Africa. Nevertheless, it implores the Nigerian public to remain calm and reiterates the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of Nigerian citizens residing in South Africa,” the statement added.

The latest diplomatic move comes amid renewed reports of xenophobic tensions in parts of South Africa, where foreign-owned businesses have occasionally been targeted during protests linked to unemployment and economic hardship.

South Africa has a history of xenophobic violence dating back to 2008, with subsequent flare-ups in 2015 and 2019, when mobs attacked migrants, looted shops, and displaced thousands of foreign nationals across several provinces.

In past incidents, Nigerians and other African nationals were among those affected, prompting strong diplomatic reactions from Abuja and calls for stronger protection of foreign communities.

While South African authorities have repeatedly condemned such attacks and deployed security forces to restore order during outbreaks of violence, concerns have persisted over recurring hostility in some communities.

Headline

Mississippi Man ‘Kills Mother, Flushes Her Remains Down Toilet’

Published

3 days ago

May 2, 2026

Editor

A 29-year-old Mississippi man, Zachary Lavel Jackson Jr., has been charged with multiple offences, including first-degree murder, over the death of his mother, Lana Brown Bradley, after deputies responded to her Natchez home on April 4 following a missing person report from relatives.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called to Bradley’s residence after her oldest son was unable to reach her the previous day.

Jackson was initially identified as a family member before investigators confirmed he was her son.

Sheriff Travis Patten described the case as deeply disturbing.“This is by far the most heinous crime that I’ve ever witnessed in my entire life. We weren’t out there that day; this was one of those things when we walked up.

“This was one of those cases that you will never, ever forget in your life. This is the type of case that follows you home,” Patten told WJTV.

According to the sheriff, deputies noticed signs of a recent cleanup when they arrived at the home.

“As soon as they walked in the house, they could just see where somebody had been cleaning up, and they could smell chemicals all throughout the house.

“Floor was extremely slippery. And the older son said that this is just unusual for the youngest son to be cleaning up the house like that,” Patten explained.

Jackson, the youngest son, was found in a bathroom, where deputies allegedly made a discovery that became central to the investigation.

“I can say what was in the toilet, and it was her flesh. He chopped her up in pieces and dismembered her in a way that whoever came looking for her would have to do their due diligence to find her, and that’s just what we did,” the sheriff said.

Authorities said Jackson allegedly placed parts of his mother’s body in a suitcase and attempted to dispose of other remains.

Jackson faces charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, mayhem and tampering with evidence.

Headline

Iran Says War With US May Resume As Trump Rejects Proposal

Published

3 days ago

May 2, 2026

Editor

Iran’s military has warned that the war with the United States and Israel could resume, declaring that it is fully prepared for any renewed confrontation as tensions between the sides continue to deepen.

In a statement reported by Iranian state-affiliated media, senior military officials said a return to hostilities is “likely”, citing what they described as Washington’s lack of commitment to previous agreements and negotiations.

The warning comes after US President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s latest peace proposal, saying the terms presented by Tehran included demands he “can’t agree to”.

According to officials in Tehran, Iran believes it showed flexibility during earlier negotiations, including talks held in Islamabad and during the ceasefire period. However, authorities argue that the United States has instead taken a tougher stance, widening the gap between both sides.

Iranian officials insist that key issues such as sanctions relief and the status of the Strait of Hormuz must be resolved before any broader agreement, including discussions around its nuclear programme, can progress. They also reject what they describe as US demands amounting to “surrender”.

The growing diplomatic deadlock has raised fears that another round of fighting may be imminent, with Iranian authorities indicating that preparations are already underway.

Meanwhile, the prolonged conflict continues to have far-reaching consequences within Iran. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reports that the country has entered its 64th day of near-total internet disruption, effectively isolating it from global online networks.

The shutdown, which began after renewed anti-government protests earlier in the year and intensified following the outbreak of the war, has significantly disrupted businesses and livelihoods across the country.

Beyond Iran, the conflict is also reshaping global dynamics. Rising oil prices linked to the war have placed pressure on international markets, while geopolitical tensions have strained alliances, including between the United States and European partners.

As both sides remain far apart on key issues, analysts warn that without a breakthrough in negotiations, the fragile pause in fighting could collapse, paving the way for renewed military escalation in the region.