“My job is to train you as much as I can. Your job is to fight the bad guys out of your country.”
Those were the firm, rallying words of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Martin of the 10th Mountain Division, as American troops intensified hands-on tactical training for Nigerian soldiers.
The partnership underscores a continuing security collaboration between the United States and Nigeria aimed at strengthening frontline capacity against insurgency and terrorism.
This is not the first time U.S. forces have drilled Nigerian troops. In 2018, a U.S. training team worked closely with soldiers of the 26th Infantry Battalion of the Nigerian Army at a remote military facility about 145 miles north of Abuja.
The intensive seven-week programme focused on battlefield survival and counterinsurgency tactics tailored to Nigeria’s evolving security threats.
Among the modules covered were reacting to improvised explosive devices (IEDs), counter-ambush drills, securing objectives, and detailed operational planning. The goal: sharpen response time, improve coordination, and enhance mission effectiveness in hostile environments.
Building Capacity, Boosting Confidence
Military observers say such training exercises are critical in modern warfare, where asymmetric threats demand flexibility, intelligence-driven operations, and disciplined field tactics.
For Nigerian troops battling insurgents and armed criminal networks across several regions, the exposure to advanced training techniques provides both technical skills and morale reinforcement.
Staff Sgt. Martin’s words encapsulate the philosophy behind the mission — equip local forces with the tools and confidence needed to defend their own territory.
As joint exercises continue, defence analysts note that sustained partnerships and continuous tactical upgrades remain key to achieving lasting security gains on the ground.
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