The United States has been carrying out intelligence-gathering flights over Nigeria since late November, according to flight-tracking data reviewed by Reuters.
The surveillance missions, operated by contractor aircraft, point to deepening security cooperation between Washington and Abuja following high-level engagements last month.
Reuters reported that the aircraft typically departs from Accra, Ghana, conducts flights over Nigerian territory, and returns to Ghana’s capital. The operations come amid rising security concerns in Nigeria and growing diplomatic pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
The surveillance jet is operated by Mississippi-based Tenax Aerospace, a firm that specializes in special-mission aircraft and maintains close links with the U.S. military. Flight data shows that the Gulfstream V aircraft was spotted at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida on November 7 before flying to Ghana on November 24. Since then, it has carried out near-daily missions over Nigeria.
The flights follow a November warning by President Trump that Washington could consider military intervention in Nigeria, citing what his administration described as Abuja’s failure to stop violence against Christian communities.
The surveillance activity also comes months after a U.S. missionary pilot was kidnapped in neighboring Niger, highlighting persistent instability across the region.
Liam Karr, Africa team lead at the Critical Threats Project of the American Enterprise Institute, told Reuters that the flights suggest Washington is rebuilding its intelligence capabilities in West Africa.
“In recent weeks, we’ve seen a resumption of intelligence and surveillance flights in Nigeria,” Karr said, adding that Accra has become a logistics hub for U.S. military operations in the region.
The shift follows Niger’s decision last year to expel U.S. forces from a key air base and strengthen ties with Russia. A former U.S. official told Reuters that the aircraft is among several surveillance assets relocated to Ghana in November.
According to the report, the missions include efforts to locate the kidnapped pilot and to monitor militant groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
A current U.S. official confirmed the flights but declined to provide further details, citing diplomatic sensitivities. Another official said Washington continues to work with Nigeria to address religious violence and terrorism.
The Pentagon acknowledged holding what it described as “productive meetings” with Nigerian officials but declined to comment on intelligence operations.
Nigeria’s government has consistently rejected claims that violence in the country specifically targets Christians, maintaining that armed groups attack both Muslims and Christians and describing the crisis as complex and multifaceted.
Despite this, Abuja has agreed to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation with Washington.
A Nigerian security source told Reuters that the deployment of U.S. air assets was finalised during a November 20 meeting between National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Nigeria’s military spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment, while Ghana’s deputy defence minister also declined to comment.
President Bola Tinubu last month declared a national security emergency, ordering mass recruitment into the military and police following escalating violence, kidnappings and the abduction of more than 300 schoolchildren in northern states.
Meanwhile, Washington has taken punitive steps against Nigeria. In October, the U.S. reinstated Nigeria on its list of countries accused of violating religious freedom. Nigeria has also been placed on a U.S. travel restriction list imposing partial entry bans.
Despite the tensions, both countries have continued security engagement. U.S. Representative Riley Moore, who recently visited Nigeria, confirmed the establishment of a joint security task force to address terrorism and religious violence.
Reuters
