The United States has stepped up military surveillance over Nigeria, conducting near-daily intelligence-gathering flights across the country, even as Washington rules out deploying troops or direct intervention.
Flight-tracking data and confirmations from current and former US officials indicate that contractor-operated aircraft have been flying over Nigerian airspace since late November, Reuters reported. The operations highlight heightened security cooperation between Abuja and Washington amid rising insecurity and diplomatic tension.
The surveillance follows remarks by US President Donald Trump in November, accusing Nigeria of failing to stop attacks on Christian communities and warning of possible military action. Senior US officials and lawmakers have since clarified that “boots on the ground” are not planned.
The flights, operated by Mississippi-based Tenax Aerospace, typically depart from Accra, Ghana, overfly Nigeria, and return. Experts say the operations track militant groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, and may assist in locating a US pilot kidnapped in Niger earlier this year.
A Nigerian security source said that during a November 20 meeting between National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Washington agreed to deploy air assets strictly for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance purposes.
Despite the stepped-up monitoring, US officials emphasised that military intervention is off the table. A bipartisan congressional delegation visiting Nigeria said the focus is on diplomatic engagement, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian support, not troop deployment.
“The designation as a Country of Particular Concern is meant to encourage reforms through partnership and pressure, not military action,” said Representative Bill Huizenga, who led the delegation.
The surveillance comes amid worsening insecurity in Nigeria. On Sunday, gunmen abducted 28 travellers, including women and children, in Zak community, Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State. Last week, at least 12 miners were killed in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, highlighting ongoing security challenges even as international partners provide intelligence support rather than direct intervention.
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