By LEVI JOHNSON
Surveillance flights over Nigeria
The United States has intensified its security engagement with Nigeria, following reports that American intelligence-gathering aircraft have been conducting surveillance flights over large parts of the country since late November. The development comes weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning over worsening insecurity in Nigeria and threatened possible military action against terrorist groups operating within its borders.
According to flight tracking data and multiple current and former U.S. officials, the US surveillance flights over Nigeria represent a renewed phase of intelligence cooperation between Washington and Abuja, amid growing concerns about terrorism, religious violence, and regional instability in West Africa.
Surveillance Flights Linked to Trump’s Security Warning
The reported intelligence operations followed President Trump’s November remarks, in which he accused the Nigerian government of failing to stem violent attacks, particularly against Christian communities. Although Washington has not officially confirmed the specific objectives of the missions, officials familiar with the matter said the surveillance flights are aimed at gathering intelligence on militant activities across Nigeria.
These operations also come against the backdrop of rising insecurity in the region, including the kidnapping of a U.S. pilot working with a missionary organisation in neighbouring Niger earlier this year. Analysts say the timing underscores Washington’s growing concern about extremist groups expanding their reach across borders.
Aircraft Operated From Ghana, Data Shows
Flight tracking data reviewed by Reuters indicates that the contractor-operated aircraft typically departs from Accra, Ghana’s capital, flies over Nigerian airspace, and then returns to Ghana. The aircraft operator was identified as Tenax Aerospace, a Mississippi-based firm known for providing special mission aircraft and working closely with the U.S. military.
Despite repeated requests, Tenax Aerospace declined to comment on the missions.
Liam Karr, Africa Team Lead at the Critical Threats Project of the American Enterprise Institute, said his analysis of the data showed that the flights were operating from Accra, a long-established hub for U.S. military logistics in Africa.
“This looks like an early signal that Washington is rebuilding its regional intelligence capacity,” Karr explained, especially after Niger ordered U.S. troops to vacate a major air base last year and pivoted towards Russia for security cooperation.
Intelligence Focus on Boko Haram, ISWAP
A former U.S. official disclosed that several surveillance assets were repositioned to Ghana by the Trump administration in November. According to the official, the missions include efforts to track the kidnapped American pilot and monitor extremist groups active in Nigeria, including Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
A current U.S. official also confirmed that American aircraft have been flying over Nigeria but declined to provide further details, citing the diplomatic sensitivity of intelligence operations.
Another senior administration official said Washington remains committed to working with Nigeria to address “religious violence, anti-Christian attacks, and the destabilising spread of terrorism” across the region.
All U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity due to the classified nature of the missions.
Pentagon Confirms Talks, Avoids Intelligence Details
In a brief statement, the Pentagon confirmed that U.S. officials held what it described as “productive meetings” with Nigerian counterparts following President Trump’s comments on Nigeria. However, the U.S. Department of Defense declined to discuss intelligence or surveillance activities.
Similarly, Nigeria’s military spokesperson and Ghana’s deputy defence minister did not respond to media inquiries seeking clarification on the reported flights.
Nigeria Pushes Back on Religious Violence Narrative
The Nigerian government has consistently argued that armed groups target both Muslims and Christians, insisting that claims of systematic persecution of Christians oversimplify the country’s complex security challenges. Abuja maintains that insurgency, banditry, and terrorism affect communities regardless of religious affiliation.
Nevertheless, Nigerian authorities have agreed to deepen cooperation with the United States, particularly in strengthening intelligence capabilities against militant groups. Nigeria’s population is almost evenly split between Muslims, predominantly in the north, and Christians, largely in the south, making the security situation especially delicate.
High-Level Security Talks Preceded Flights
A Nigerian security source revealed that during a November 20 meeting between National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, both sides agreed on the deployment of air assets for intelligence-gathering purposes.
Flight records further show that the Tenax Aerospace aircraft was spotted at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida — home to U.S. Special Operations Command — on November 7, before flying to Ghana on November 24, just days after the high-level security talks.
The aircraft, identified as a Gulfstream V long-range jet commonly modified for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, has reportedly flown over Nigeria almost daily since the operation commenced.
Rising Insecurity Raises Stakes
The renewed US surveillance flights over Nigeria come at a time when insecurity continues to worsen across several regions of the country. From insurgency in the northeast to banditry and kidnappings in the northwest and central regions, Nigeria faces mounting pressure to restore stability.
While the extent of U.S. involvement remains unclear, analysts say the surveillance operations reflect Washington’s broader strategy to contain terrorism in West Africa without deploying ground troops. For Nigeria, the collaboration offers access to advanced intelligence capabilities at a critical moment.
As both governments navigate diplomatic sensitivities, the flights underscore a shared recognition that Nigeria’s security challenges have implications far beyond its borders.
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