Military officers, security experts and political stakeholders have welcomed the recent delivery of military logistics by the United States African Command to Nigeria, describing the development as a major boost to troop morale and a possible turning point in the fight against insurgency and terrorism in the North-East and North-West.
The support, coming amid intensified military operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP and armed bandit groups, has been widely described as timely and strategic.
However, analysts have cautioned that its effectiveness will depend on proper deployment, training, maintenance and wider reforms within Nigeria’s defence system.
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 significance of the support would largely depend on the type of equipment delivered.
“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 need for compatibility with existing platforms, proper training and access to spare parts, warning that neglecting these factors could undermine effectiveness.
“Training is vital to make maximum use of these assets. Availability of spare parts is also critical,” he added.
Ezugwu also called for a long-term strategy focused on strengthening local defence capacity.
“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 increased domestic defence production.
Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, also welcomed the intervention, describing it as a positive step towards addressing 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 countries that claim goodwill towards Nigeria to support similar efforts, especially those aimed at neutralising notorious terrorist leaders.
“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 have not been fully disclosed, security analysts believe the logistics may include precision munitions, intelligence hardware and software, as well as surveillance assets.
Observers noted that the development aligns with recent US airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in parts of Sokoto State and may also be connected to Nigeria’s deployment of US-supplied A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.
Experts said that if effectively utilised, the equipment could enhance intelligence gathering, improve target verification and support precision strikes, thereby reducing civilian casualties that have often complicated counter-insurgency operations.
A retired Nigerian Air Force officer, Wing Commander Salmanu Musa, cautioned that military success is not solely dependent on equipment.
“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 action to prevent insurgents from regrouping.
“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 assistance as a strategic boost to Nigeria’s counter-terrorism, anti-banditry and anti-kidnapping operations.
“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 rely 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 support strengthened President Bola Tinubu’s administration and highlighted the importance of logistics in modern warfare.
He noted that US–Nigeria military cooperation dates back to the early 2000s, referencing programmes such as the International Military Education and Training (IMET) scheme and joint exercises including 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 extends beyond weapons to include transport aircraft, vehicles, spare parts, medical supplies, communications equipment and maintenance training, all of which are crucial for operations in difficult terrains such as the semi-desert North-East.
A Nigerian Army logistics officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the operational benefits 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, however, urged caution against long-term dependency.
“Support must build sustainable Nigerian systems. We shouldn’t become consumers of logistics; we should become producers,” he said.
He added that while the US assistance aligns with Washington’s broader counterterrorism and regional stability goals, Nigeria’s long-term success depends on building self-reliant military capabilities.
“Beyond hardware, lasting logistics strength comes from training, institutional reform and investment in local supply chains,” Okafor said.
