The United States has initiated a series of intelligence-gathering flights over extensive portions of Nigeria, a move that signals a shift in security cooperation between the two nations following recent tensions.
According to flight tracking data and confirmation from both current and former U.S. officials, these operations have been ongoing since late November. While the specific targets of the surveillance remain classified, the flights come in the wake of President Donald Trump’s November warning that he would militarily intervene in Nigeria if the government failed to halt violence targeting Christian communities.
Why it Matters
This development represents a significant escalation in U.S. involvement in West Africa’s security landscape. The flights are occurring just months after a U.S. pilot working for a missionary agency was kidnapped in neighboring Niger, adding urgency to American operations in the region.
The surveillance missions also indicate a strategic pivot for Washington. Following the expulsion of U.S. troops from a major air base in Niger last year—after which the country turned to Russia for security assistance—the U.S. appears to be rebuilding its capacity in the region. Liam Karr, the Africa Team Lead for the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, noted that the operation seems to be running out of an airport in Accra, Ghana, a known hub for the U.S. military’s logistics network in Africa.
What to Know
The aircraft utilized for these missions is a Gulfstream V, a long-range business jet frequently modified for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles. Flight tracking data indicates the plane is operated by Mississippi-based Tenax Aerospace, a company that provides special mission aircraft and works closely with the U.S. military.
According to the data, the aircraft typically departs from Ghana, flies over Nigeria, and returns to Accra. This pattern has been observed almost daily since the operation began. The plane was spotted at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida—home to U.S. Special Operations Command—on November 7 before deploying to Ghana on November 24.
This deployment followed a November 20 meeting between Nigerian National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. A Nigerian security source confirmed that during this meeting, the U.S. agreed to deploy air assets to gather intelligence.
While a current U.S. official confirmed the flights are taking place, they declined to provide specifics due to diplomatic sensitivities. However, a former official stated the missions include efforts to track down the kidnapped U.S. pilot and gather intelligence on militant groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
What People are Saying
“In recent weeks we’ve seen a resumption of intelligence and surveillance flights in Nigeria,” Liam Karr stated in an interview, describing the move as an early sign of the U.S. re-establishing its regional footprint.
The Pentagon, in a statement, acknowledged that the U.S. government held productive meetings with Nigeria following Trump’s initial message but declined to discuss specific intelligence matters. A separate administration official emphasized that Washington is continuing to work with Nigeria to “address religious violence, anti-Christian attacks, and the destabilizing spread of terrorism.”
Conversely, the Nigerian government has pushed back against the narrative that violence is solely directed at Christians. Officials in Abuja have stated that armed groups target both Muslims and Christians, arguing that U.S. claims of persecution do not reflect the complex security situation and ignore local efforts to safeguard religious freedom.
What Happens Next
The security situation in Nigeria remains volatile. President Bola Tinubu declared a security emergency last month, ordering mass recruitment for the army and police to tackle worsening violence, including the mass abduction of more than 300 schoolchildren in the north.
Diplomatic pressure continues to mount alongside military cooperation. In October, President Trump added Nigeria back onto a list of countries the U.S. designates as violators of religious freedom. More recently, Nigeria was added to a U.S. travel ban list facing partial restrictions. Trump has also reportedly asked the Defense Department to prepare for possible “fast” military action if the violence does not subside.
Despite these tensions, the two nations have established a joint task force to address security concerns, according to Republican U.S. Representative Riley Moore. As surveillance flights continue, the focus will likely remain on whether this intelligence sharing leads to tangible reductions in violence or further strains the diplomatic relationship.
