The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has disclosed that US and Nigerian military personnel are conducting a series of joint training exercises in Bauchi State as part of efforts to strengthen security cooperation and improve Nigeria’s military capabilities.

According to a report released by AFRICOM on Monday, the training is being conducted at an undisclosed US operating location in Bauchi and covers a range of military skills, including unmanned aircraft systems, combat casualty care, weapons familiarisation, camouflage, water treatment and testing, explosive ordnance disposal and small-unit tactics.

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The training includes Combat Lifesaver and Tactical Combat Casualty Care instruction, designed to improve troops’ ability to provide emergency medical assistance to wounded personnel during military operations. AFRICOM said the programme forms part of a broader US-Nigeria security cooperation initiative focused on strengthening military readiness, operational capability and long-term partner capacity.

“U.S. and Nigerian forces are conducting a series of training events at Operating Location Bauchi, Nigeria, aimed at sharing military expertise, strengthening partner capacity and building relationships between service members from both nations,” AFRICOM said.

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AFRICOM said unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) generated particular interest among Nigerian troops during the training.

According to the report, Sgt Mark Murphy, an intelligence analyst assigned to the US Army’s 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, led approximately 10 members of the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces Regiment through the drone training.

The session reportedly began with about 45 minutes of classroom instruction, after which the Nigerian personnel received practical, hands-on training on how to operate the unmanned aircraft.

The emphasis on drone technology is significant as modern militaries increasingly use unmanned systems for intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance and battlefield awareness, particularly in counter-insurgency operations.

US-Nigeria Military Cooperation

Capt. Gabriel Feingold, a logistics officer assigned to the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa and operations officer at Operating Location Bauchi, said US military units provided Nigerian leadership with a range of training options from which Nigerian forces selected areas of particular interest.

AFRICOM said the exercises were not limited to technical military instruction but also provided opportunities for American and Nigerian troops to strengthen relationships and improve their ability to operate together.

Feingold noted that such interactions were particularly valuable at the junior levels of both militaries.

“It helps build relationships between Soldiers and the partner force, especially at the lower levels,” he said.

The latest exercise underscores the growing US-Nigeria security partnership, particularly in the areas of military training, counter-terrorism, intelligence, tactical operations and the adoption of modern technologies to improve the effectiveness of Nigerian security forces.