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The training programme, according to the report, was structured around areas identified by Nigerian military leadership as most beneficial, in collaboration with available expertise among US forces.
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The United States has intensified military training for Nigerian troops in a renewed push to strengthen bilateral security cooperation, even as a separate international assessment warns that persistent insecurity and political violence pose serious threats to Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
According to a report released on Monday by the United States Africa Command, the ongoing training programme, conducted at an operating location in Bauchi State, focuses on enhancing Nigeria’s military capability, operational readiness and long-term defence capacity.
The report said American and Nigerian forces are collaborating on a wide range of military exercises, including instruction in unmanned aircraft systems, combat casualty care, weapons handling, explosive ordnance disposal and small-unit tactics.
“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,” the report stated.
It added that the training sessions also covered Combat Lifesaver and Tactical Combat Casualty Care, camouflage techniques, water treatment and testing, as well as field-based operational drills designed to improve coordination during missions.
A logistics officer with the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, Capt. Gabriel Feingold, said the initiative was designed to be flexible and responsive to Nigeria’s security needs.
“We bring them a list of several different training topics, and they select what they think would be most beneficial for them,” Feingold explained.
He noted that the engagement goes beyond technical training, helping to build relationships between personnel from both countries, particularly at junior and mid-level ranks.
Nigerian Troops Trained On Unmanned Aircraft
One of the key highlights of the programme is training in unmanned aircraft systems, which has attracted strong interest from Nigerian forces.
The sessions are being led by Sgt. Mark Murphy, an intelligence analyst assigned to the 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
“They were really excited with being able to get hands-on time with it,” Murphy said, noting that participants expressed interest in receiving further advanced training.
He added that the sessions also focused on integrating data gathered from unmanned systems into military operations, enhancing surveillance and tactical decision-making capabilities.
Beyond the technical components, the joint exercises have also fostered informal interactions between troops, with activities such as basketball and volleyball providing opportunities to strengthen camaraderie when operational schedules permit.
The report noted that additional training modules are being planned as both countries continue to identify new areas of collaboration aimed at improving operational effectiveness.
The expanded training initiative comes months after the US scaled down its troop presence in Nigeria following the completion of a specific counterterrorism operation.
US Maintains Security Partnership With Nigeria
Despite the drawdown, Washington has maintained intelligence-sharing arrangements and security partnerships with Nigeria, reflecting ongoing concerns over insurgency and banditry in parts of the country.
However, concerns about insecurity remain widespread, particularly as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
IRI Expresses Concerns Over Insecurity Ahead Of 2027 Elections
In a separate development, the International Republican Institute has warned that persistent insecurity and election-related violence could undermine the credibility of the upcoming polls.
The institute’s President, Daniel Twining, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while presenting findings from a pre-election assessment mission to Nigeria.
“The most acute vulnerability identified by our election observation assessment mission is security,” he said. “Persistent insecurity and election-related political violence erode confidence in the electoral process and depress voter participation.”
He warned that without a secure environment, improvements in electoral processes and legal frameworks would have limited impact.
“Where voters, candidates, and observers cannot participate without fear of violence or intimidation, technical improvements and legal safeguards have only limited effect,” Twining added.
According to him, the 2027 elections will be held at a critical time for Nigeria and the African continent, given the country’s influence as the region’s largest democracy.
“Nigeria is the continent’s largest democracy, and its political trajectory carries significance well beyond its borders,” he said, noting that the quality of electoral competition in the country has implications for regional stability and democratic governance.
Twining also highlighted concerns about political consolidation within the ruling party and fragmentation among opposition groups, describing the trend as a potential risk to public confidence in the electoral system.
“This challenge is unfolding within a political landscape that has transformed considerably since 2023, with consolidation of political power and opposition parties continuing to fragment,” he said.
He cautioned that these dynamics, combined with security concerns, could deepen existing mistrust in electoral institutions and processes.
He, however, stressed that rebuilding public trust would be crucial, particularly in light of lingering concerns from the 2023 elections.
“The experience of 2023 continues to shape perceptions of the electoral commission, especially regarding results transmission and collation,” he said.
“In 2027, electoral credibility will depend not only on administrative capacity but also on the transparent exercise of institutional authority.”he added.
Observers say the convergence of intensified military training and warnings about electoral security highlights the central role of stability in Nigeria’s democratic future.
While the US-Nigeria military collaboration aims to strengthen the country’s ability to combat insurgency and other threats, experts note that translating these gains into a secure electoral environment will require coordinated efforts among security agencies, electoral bodies and political actors.