The United States has begun conducting regular surveillance flights over Nigeria, marking a significant escalation in security cooperation and intelligence monitoring between Washington and Abuja.
The intelligence-gathering missions, which started in late November, are reportedly being operated by a US defence contractor flying out of a base in Ghana. The aircraft are said to be collecting aerial surveillance data focused on militant activity, internal security threats, and regional instability across parts of Nigeria.
The development comes against the backdrop of renewed international concern over Nigeria’s security situation, including persistent insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, separatist tensions in the southeast, and rising attacks on critical infrastructure. US officials have previously expressed frustration over the pace and effectiveness of Nigeria’s response to these threats.
The flights also follow recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who warned that Washington could consider “stronger measures” if Nigerian authorities fail to adequately protect civilians and US-linked interests. While no formal military action has been announced, the surveillance operation is widely seen as a signal of increased pressure and closer monitoring.
Nigerian authorities have not publicly objected to the flights, suggesting they may be part of broader intelligence-sharing arrangements rather than unilateral action. Defence analysts note that such surveillance could support early-warning systems, counterterrorism operations, and regional security planning across West Africa.
Operating from Ghana allows US assets to remain outside Nigerian airspace infrastructure while maintaining wide aerial coverage. Similar arrangements have previously been used for counterterrorism surveillance in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.
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