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• Task military on effective deployment, training, maintenance
By Philip Nwosu and Molly Kilete
Military officers, security experts and political stakeholders have welcomed the recent delivery of military logistics by the United States African Command (AFRICOM) to Nigeria, describing it as a significant boost to troop morale and a potential game-changer in the fight against insurgency and terrorism in the North-East and North-West regions of the country.
The support, which comes amid renewed military offensives against Boko Haram, ISWAP and armed bandit groups, has been praised as both timely and strategic. However, experts caution that its impact will depend largely on effective deployment, training, maintenance and broader reforms within Nigeria’s defence architecture.
A retired Major General, Victor Ezugwu, former Director General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and Deputy Director General and Provost of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, said the value of the support would be determined by the nature of the equipment supplied.
“It depends on the content of the new equipment cargo the US is sending to Nigeria,” Ezugwu said. “If they are hard-power kinetics and they are properly applied by our Armed Forces, they will give our military a clear operational advantage over adversaries.”
He stressed the importance of compatibility with existing Nigerian platforms, adequate training, and access to spare parts, warning that equipment without these considerations could limit effectiveness.
“Training is vital to make maximum use of these assets. Availability of spare parts is also critical,” he added.
Beyond immediate battlefield gains, Ezugwu called for a shift towards local capacity building.
“What we need from America is to teach us how to catch fish, not to keep giving us fish every five to ten years,” he said, advocating stronger domestic defence production capabilities.
Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, also welcomed the US intervention, describing it as a commendable step towards tackling insecurity, particularly in the North-West.
“I read reports that the US has delivered critical military supplies to Nigeria. That is a welcome development,” Sani said in a post on his X handle.
He urged other nations with professed goodwill towards Nigeria to follow suit, noting that any support capable of neutralising notorious terrorist leaders in Zamfara and surrounding states should be encouraged.
“Anything that can be done to eliminate Bello Turji, Adamu Aleru, Baleri and other terrorist criminals in the hinterland of Zamfara is welcomed,” he added.
Although details of the shipment remain largely undisclosed, security analysts believe the supplies likely include precision munitions, intelligence hardware and software, as well as surveillance assets.
Observers note that the support aligns with recent US airstrikes on terrorist locations in parts of Sokoto State and may be linked to Nigeria’s deployment of US-supplied A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.
If properly utilised, experts say the equipment could improve intelligence gathering, enhance target verification and enable precision strikes, thereby reducing civilian casualties—an issue that has long plagued counter-insurgency operations.
A retired Nigerian Air Force officer, Wing Commander Salmanu Musa, warned that military success is not determined by equipment alone.
“Behind every equipment is a human being,” Musa said. “Improving equipment must go hand-in-hand with training, retraining, welfare and the will of troops to stay on the offensive.”
He emphasised the need for coordinated air and ground operations, noting that airstrikes must be followed by effective ground advances to neutralise fleeing insurgents.
“This means ground troops need mobility, protective gear and supporting equipment. If welfare and wellbeing are addressed alongside logistics, morale will improve and results will follow,” he said.
Former Nigerian Army spokesman, Brigadier General Sani Usman (rtd), described the US military assistance as a strategic boost to Nigeria’s counter-terrorism, anti-banditry and anti-kidnapping efforts.
“These assets will significantly enhance operational mobility, intelligence, surveillance, firepower and force protection,” Usman said. “They will enable faster responses, more precise strikes and sustained pressure on criminal elements.”
However, he stressed that success would depend on proper integration, accountability and doctrine.
“This phase benefits from improved intelligence fusion, inter-agency coordination and lessons learned from past engagements. With proper maintenance culture and mission-focused deployment, these assets can deliver tangible security gains,” he added.
An APC chieftain, Ayodele Oluwole Adeyinka, said the assistance was a boost to President Bola Tinubu’s administration and underscored the importance of logistics in modern warfare.
He noted that US–Nigeria military cooperation dates back to the early 2000s, citing programmes such as the International Military Education and Training (IMET) scheme and joint exercises like Operation Flintlock and African Lion.
“What has changed is the scale and nature of logistics support,” he said. “Logistics is the backbone of any successful military operation.”
Adeyinka explained that logistics goes beyond weapons to include transport aircraft, vehicles, spare parts, medical supplies, communications equipment and maintenance training—critical factors for operations in harsh terrains like the semi-desert North-East.
A Nigerian Army logistics officer, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the operational impact of the support.
“Before now, our assets would break down and we’d wait weeks for parts. With US-supplied logistics and training, we fix and return to mission faster. That saves lives,” the officer said.
Security analyst Dr Emeka Okafor urged caution, warning against long-term dependency.
“Support must build sustainable Nigerian systems. We shouldn’t become consumers of logistics; we should become producers,” he said.
He noted that while US assistance aligns with Washington’s broader counterterrorism and regional stability objectives, Nigeria’s true success lies in developing enduring, self-reliant military capabilities.
“Beyond hardware, lasting logistics strength comes from training, institutional reform and investment in local supply chains,” Okafor said.
