By Esther Ososanya
The United States has approved a $346 million sale of bombs, rockets, and precision-guided weapons to Nigeria.
The move aims to strengthen the West African nation’s fight against rising terrorist violence.
The U.S. State Department said in a statement on Wednesday that the deal would “support the foreign policy goals of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Nigeria’s request included more than 1,000 MK-82 500-pound bombs, a weapon recently linked to civilian deaths in Gaza. It also sought 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS), laser-guided bomb kits, high-explosive rockets, and technical personnel support.
According to the State Department, the package will “improve Nigeria’s capability to meet current and future threats through operations against terrorist organisations and to counter illicit trafficking in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.”
Terror Threats on the Rise
Nigeria faces a renewed wave of attacks in the North from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). These assaults have killed thousands, uprooted communities, and forced many to flee.
In recent months, the military has intensified its operations. On Tuesday, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, announced that 592 terrorists were killed in Borno State in the past eight months.
“This year, our air campaign is quicker, more precise, and more surgical,” Abubakar said. “We are eliminating high-value targets, crippling logistics networks, and dismantling cells that threaten peace in the northeast.”
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Security experts believe the U.S. weapons will give Nigeria a sharper edge in the fight. The munitions could help the air force hit militant hideouts more accurately while reducing civilian harm.
With this deal approved, defence ties between Washington and Abuja are set to deepen. However, rights groups are urging both governments to ensure military operations respect human rights and protect civilian lives.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
