The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) of Nigeria has officially dismissed the speculation that the United States intends to relocate its drone base from Niger Republic to Nigeria. This clarification was prompted by a report from Reuters, which detailed the deployment of several MQ-9 Reaper drones, alongside approximately 200 US troops, to Nigeria to assist the Nigerian military in combating terrorism. The DHQ emphasized that these reports of base relocation are unfounded and reiterated their commitment to security cooperation with the US.

The deployment of MQ-9 drones is significant due to their capability of remaining airborne for over 27 hours, providing extensive surveillance and carrying out potential airstrikes if necessary. According to Maj Gen Samaila Uba, the Director of Defence Information at the DHQ, US operations are currently based at Bauchi Airfield in northeastern Nigeria, enhancing the military's tactical position against insurgent activities in the region.

Furthermore, this military partnership has led to the establishment of a US-Nigeria intelligence fusion cell that is aimed at producing actionable intelligence for field commanders in Nigeria. The DHQ makes it clear that US personnel are engaged strictly in non-combat roles, underscoring a collaborative effort in intelligence sharing and training aimed at bolstering the capacity of the Nigerian military in its ongoing fight against terrorism.