US Denies Conducting Airstrikes, Taking Over Nigeria–Benin Airspace

The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has dismissed reports alleging that the US military carried out airstrikes or took control of the airspace over Nigeria and the Benin Republic, describing the claims as false and misleading.

AFRICOM made the clarification on Thursday, December 18, in response to an email inquiry seeking its official reaction to the reports. In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kelly Cahalan, the command firmly denied that US forces had bombarded terrorists or conducted any direct military action in the region.

“Reports that the U.S. military took over airspace and bombarded terrorists are not true. The U.S. military has not conducted any direct action or airstrikes in the region,” Cahalan said.

She, however, confirmed that the United States continues to work with Nigeria and other regional partners to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation, in line with directives from President Donald Trump and the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth.

“While we won’t discuss specific details on planning efforts or specific missions, our goal is to assist the Nigerian government in efforts to improve their operations against violent extremist organisations, including ISIS, JNIM and Boko Haram,” Cahalan added.

The AFRICOM spokesperson also stressed that all US military activities in the region are carried out in close collaboration with partner nations. “We work closely with all of our partners in the region and conduct all activities with their knowledge and cooperation,” she said.

The clarification followed a report published by an online news platform on December 13, which claimed that the US Air Force had occupied the airspace over Nigeria and the Benin Republic and destroyed terrorists’ armouries.

The report, citing an American security expert, alleged that US aircraft were operating over the Babana crossing—an area reportedly used by armed groups to smuggle supplies—and that US troops had intensified reconnaissance and launched major attacks from outside Nigeria without using local airports.

AFRICOM’s response refuted the claims, emphasising that no such airspace takeover or bombing campaign had taken place.