FIVE U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFTS ARRIVE NIGERIA; AS THREE AIRCRAFTS HEAD STRAIGHT TO ISWAP AND BOKOHARAM AFFECTED BORNO STATE AMID ANTI-INSURGENCY MOVES

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
15- FEB- 2026

Heightened security developments have unfolded in Nigeria’s North-East as three United States military aircraft reportedly landed at the Nigerian Air Force base in Maiduguri, Borno State—an area long troubled by insurgent activities linked to Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram. The aircraft arrivals are said to form part of a broader movement of U.S. Air Force cargo planes into West Africa within a short operational window.

Security analyst Brant Philip disclosed via X that six U.S. Air Force cargo aircraft entered the West African region between February 6 and 14, 2026. According to his account, all six planes first landed in Accra, Ghana, before five continued onward to Nigerian Air Force installations. Among those that proceeded to Nigeria, one C-17A aircraft reportedly arrived at Kainji Airbase, while a C-130J-30 and three additional C-17A aircraft touched down at Maiduguri Airbase in Borno State. Notably, reports indicate that the planes departed the bases on the same day of arrival, suggesting rapid operational coordination.

Maiduguri Airbase is widely regarded as a strategic hub in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the region, particularly in confronting ISWAP’s presence across rural parts of Borno. In a related development, The Wall Street Journal reported on February 10 that discussions were underway regarding the potential deployment of approximately 200 U.S. troops to Nigeria, based on disclosures from American and Nigerian officials. As of the time of reporting, however, neither the Nigerian military nor U.S. authorities have released formal statements clarifying the purpose or scope of the recent aircraft movements, leaving observers to closely monitor unfolding events in the security landscape.