U.S. Steps Up Intelligence Flights Over Nigeria Amid Security Talks

 

The United States has intensified aerial intelligence operations over Nigeria, conducting near-daily surveillance flights since late November, according to a Reuters investigation based on flight-tracking data and interviews with current and former U.S. officials.

The intelligence-gathering aircraft, operated by a private contractor, reportedly departs from Accra, Ghana, flies across Nigerian airspace, and returns to the Ghanaian capital. While the precise objectives of the missions were not officially disclosed, sources said the flights are part of expanded U.S. security operations in West Africa.

A former U.S. official confirmed that the surveillance aircraft is among several military and intelligence assets redeployed to Ghana in November under the administration of President Donald Trump. Ghana is a key logistics hub for U.S. military operations on the African continent, though the number of aircraft stationed there remains unclear.

Flight-tracking records identified the operator as Tenax Aerospace, a special mission aviation firm known to work closely with the U.S. military. The aircraft in question is a modified Gulfstream V, commonly used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

According to sources, the operations include efforts to locate a U.S. pilot kidnapped in neighbouring Niger Republic and to gather intelligence on militant groups operating within Nigeria, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

A serving U.S. official confirmed that surveillance flights have taken place over Nigeria but declined further comment, citing diplomatic sensitivities.
Tracking data showed that the aircraft arrived in Ghana on November 24 and has since conducted almost daily flights over Nigeria.

The surveillance activities come amid heightened diplomatic and security engagements between Abuja and Washington. On November 1, President Trump directed the U.S. Department of Defence to prepare for “possible action” against what he described as Islamic terrorist groups operating in Nigeria. The directive followed Nigeria’s re-designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the U.S. over allegations of religious persecution.

Trump had accused extremist groups of orchestrating mass killings of Christians in Nigeria and warned of potential military intervention if attacks persist.
Nigeria has repeatedly rejected claims that Christians are being specifically targeted, maintaining that criminal and insurgent violence affects all communities regardless of religion and reflects a broader security crisis.

On November 21, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, met with U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, where both sides agreed to strengthen intelligence and security cooperation. Hegseth later said the United States would work “aggressively” with Nigeria to address terrorism and insecurity.

The meeting coincided with a U.S. congressional hearing on religious freedom in Nigeria. Subsequently, Congressman Riley Moore disclosed that both countries were close to finalising a “strategic security framework” aimed at combating terrorism, following a fact-finding visit to Nigeria.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently declared a security emergency, ordering mass recruitment into the armed forces and police to counter rising attacks, kidnappings and mass abductions across several states.

Despite the diplomatic tensions, Nigerian authorities have confirmed ongoing cooperation with U.S. intelligence agencies, insisting that any partnership must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty while addressing shared security threats.