The United States has delivered a major shipment of military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at airbases in Lagos and Kainji, Niger State, to enhance Nigerian-led counterterrorism and regional security operations.
​The delivery was executed via a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft. Visuals released through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) showed military personnel offloading cargo at both location sites.
​The shipment was delivered under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement between Washington and Abuja. The strategic transfer is intended to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to counter extremist organizations operating across the West African region.
​In an official statement published on Thursday, September 10,2026, by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), officials emphasized that the defense support remains directly requested by the Nigerian government:
​”The delivery furthers the strategic partnership between the two nations in order to enhance Nigerian-led efforts to counter terrorism in the region. U.S. military support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria is by its invitation and rooted in respect for Nigerian sovereignty.”
​Statements previously issued by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, alongside officials from AFRICOM under Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson, highlight that bilateral cooperation continues to focus on technical assistance, intelligence-sharing, and localized equipment support platforms.
​The equipment received at Kainji, a primary base for Nigeria’s tactical and light attack aircraft, will immediately support ongoing operations aimed at neutralizing banditry and insurgent groups across the North-West and North-East theaters.
