The United States has been conducting clandestine intelligence-gathering surveillance flights over extensive areas of Nigeria since late November 2024, according to flight tracking data and revelations from current and former American officials, heightening concerns about escalating security cooperation amidst strained diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Flight tracking records analysed by Reuters reveal that contractor-operated aircraft have been systematically surveying Nigerian airspace, typically departing from Accra, Ghana, flying over various Nigerian territories, and returning to the Ghanaian capital. The surveillance operations, executed by Mississippi-based Tenax Aerospace—a specialist firm providing mission-critical aircraft services to the US military—represent a significant expansion of American intelligence activities in West Africa.
According to Liam Karr, Africa team lead for the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, the operations signal Washington’s determination to rebuild its intelligence capabilities in the region following Niger’s expulsion of US troops from a major air base in 2024. “In recent weeks we’ve seen a resumption of intelligence and surveillance flights in Nigeria,” Karr stated in an interview with Reuters. “The flights appeared to signal that Washington was rebuilding intelligence capacity in the region after Niger ordered US troops to leave.”
The surveillance missions come against the backdrop of increasingly tense US-Nigeria relations, particularly following threats issued in November by US President Donald Trump to intervene militarily in Nigeria. Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to halt violence against Christian communities, a characterisation that Federal Government officials have contested, arguing that armed groups target both Muslims and Christians indiscriminately.
Flight tracking data obtained by Reuters indicates that the Tenax Aerospace aircraft, identified as a modified Gulfstream V business jet commonly used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida on 7 November before deploying to Ghana on 24 November. This deployment followed high-level security discussions between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on 20 November.
According to a former US official cited by Reuters, the Trump administration moved several intelligence assets to Ghana in November. The missions reportedly include efforts to locate a kidnapped US pilot working for a missionary organisation in neighbouring Niger, as well as collecting intelligence on militant groups operating across Nigeria, including Boko Haram and its splinter faction, Islamic State West Africa Province.
A security source in Nigeria, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the US agreed during the November meeting to deploy air assets for intelligence gathering. The Pentagon, whilst acknowledging productive meetings with Nigerian officials, declined to discuss specific intelligence activities, citing diplomatic sensitivities.
The surveillance operations coincide with punitive measures taken by Washington against Nigeria. In October 2024, President Trump reinstated Nigeria on a US list of countries accused of violating religious freedom. Subsequently, Nigeria was placed on a US travel ban list facing partial entry restrictions, set to take effect on 1 January 2025.
Trump has reportedly instructed the Defence Department to prepare for possible military action should Nigeria fail to curb violence against Christians. However, both nations have since established a joint security task force, according to US Representative Riley Moore, who recently visited Nigeria.
The Nigerian government maintains that claims of Christian persecution oversimplify a complex security situation and overlook governmental efforts to protect religious freedom across the multi-religious nation. Nevertheless, Nigeria has agreed to cooperate with Washington in strengthening responses to militant threats that have plagued various regions of the country.
The intensified American surveillance comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with severe security challenges. On Sunday night, gunmen abducted 28 travellers including men, women, and children in Zak community, Bashar district, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. The victims were travelling to Sabon Layi community to attend a religious event when their vehicle was ambushed.
Sapi’i Sambo, a youth leader in Wase, confirmed the abduction, stating that the victims included two princes and a religious leader. “The incident happened around 8pm as they were heading to Sabon Layi. The gunmen ambushed the vehicle on the outskirts of the community, taking all the travellers, including children, and abandoned the vehicle,” Sambo explained.
The abduction follows another tragic incident last week when at least 12 miners were killed by gunmen who attacked a mining site in Ratoso Fan community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. These incidents have intensified calls from residents for stronger security measures across Plateau State, which has been plagued by kidnapping, banditry, and cattle rustling.
SP Alabo Alfred, spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, confirmed that investigations into the latest abduction are ongoing, though the whereabouts of the victims remain unknown.
The US surveillance operations represent a significant development in American engagement with West African security challenges. With Niger having pivoted towards Russian security assistance following the departure of US forces, Washington appears determined to maintain its intelligence footprint in the region through alternative arrangements. Ghana, hosting the operations, serves as a strategic logistics hub for US military activities in Africa.