Global focus on Nigeria’s worsening security situation intensified on Sunday after France and the United States took new diplomatic and military steps in response to allegations of Christian genocide and the spread of extremist violence across the country.
French president Emmanuel Macron phoned President Bola Tinubu to express solidarity and pledge deeper cooperation, while military trackers reported a United States surveillance fighter jet carrying out an unusual flight over Kwara and Ekiti States. The aerial operation coincided with the arrival of senior American officials in Abuja for discussions with Nigeria’s security leadership.
Macron voices concern, vows stronger partnership
In a message shared on X, Macron said he assured Tinubu of France’s “support in the face of various security challenges,” with particular emphasis on the persistent terrorist threat in northern Nigeria.
“We will reinforce our partnership with the authorities and extend more support to affected populations. No one can watch from the sidelines,” Macron wrote.
His statement comes amid an upsurge in attacks, abductions and rural raids that have widened Nigeria’s security gaps and drawn condemnation from international partners. It also follows Tinubu’s recent appointment of retired General Christopher Musa as defence minister and the declaration of a national security emergency on 26 November.
Trump’s accusations heighten tensions
The renewed French engagement comes weeks after U.S. president Donald Trump levelled severe accusations against Nigeria, alleging that Christians were facing genocide. Trump threatened military intervention and restored Nigeria’s status as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom violations.
The Federal Government has repeatedly rejected the allegations, warning that the violence is not religiously targeted and affects people of all faiths. Still, Trump’s rhetoric has fuelled global alarm and widened the diplomatic spotlight on Nigeria’s handling of religiously linked violence.
U.S. delegation meets Ribadu as aerial activity raises questions
On the same day Macron called Tinubu, a U.S. diplomatic and security delegation — including the American ambassador — met with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja. Their talks reportedly focused on religiously motivated killings, extremist networks and pathways for strengthening intelligence cooperation.
But the more dramatic development came from the skies.
Open-source intelligence trackers spotted a U.S. surveillance fighter jet performing wide-area intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations over Kwara and Ekiti. The flight pattern appeared to originate from a U.S. military facility in Ghana, sparking speculation about deeper American involvement in monitoring Nigeria’s insurgency.
First confirmed U.S. ISR missions in southwest Nigeria
Sahel conflict observer Brant Phillip noted that the aircraft’s movement represented “the first time the U.S. has carried out ISR in southwest Nigeria.”
He reported that the jet performed extended observation runs over both states and later moved northwards toward Kainji in Niger State and Tangaza in Sokoto — hotspots associated with Islamic State affiliates.
Phillip also disclosed that several flights involved transponders going off and on, a known tactic for discreet intelligence collection.
Report suggests U.S. may soon conduct drone strikes
In what may signal a significant policy shift, Phillip cited a source familiar with current negotiations who said the U.S. may have secured provisional approval to carry out drone strikes on terrorist targets inside Nigeria.
According to the reported arrangement, only unmanned aerial systems — not manned combat aircraft — would be permitted to engage. Kainji Air Base is believed to be a potential staging ground, though there has been no formal confirmation from Abuja or Washington.
A pivotal moment in Nigeria–West security relations
If the proposed drone-strike approval is validated, it would mark the highest level of U.S. military engagement in Nigeria in over a decade and highlight Washington’s growing concern over the country’s instability.
Despite friction with the Trump administration over religious freedom issues, both France and the United States appear increasingly involved in shaping Nigeria’s security response, signalling a new chapter in the country’s strategic alliances.
With extremist violence expanding southwards and international scrutiny intensifying, Nigeria’s security partnerships may be on the verge of a dramatic transformation.
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