Nigeria faces formidable security challenges as armed opposition groups across the country harm civilians and threaten livelihoods. In responding to the threats posed by armed groups, Nigerian security forces have also often killed and harmed civilians, including through aerial attacks and ground operations. Such incidents illuminate systemic issues, particularly concerning air-to-ground integration, compounded by deficiencies in accountability and governance within the security sector.

The US is a key supplier of arms and equipment to Nigeria. In light of civilian harm concerns, major sales of US aircraft to Nigeria have drawn significant attention in civil society and among US legislators. While the US government has engaged Nigeria’s military on numerous matters related to civilian harm mitigation and response, US policy has often proceeded with the assumption that the transfer of advanced arms and other hardware to the Nigerian military will continue, despite significant doubts about the effectiveness of current risk mitigation measures.

This brief seeks to identify patterns and causes of civilian harm from Nigerian security force operations, assess US policy efforts to address civilian harm risks in its arms sales and security assistance to Nigeria, and provide recommendations for the governments and militaries of both the US and Nigeria.

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