December 22, 2025
News | SUNTV Global Channel
The United States has reportedly intensified intelligence and surveillance operations over Nigeria, conducting repeated aerial monitoring missions since late November, according to flight tracking data and multiple current and former U.S. officials.
The development signals heightened security cooperation between Washington and Abuja following recent threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to take military action against terrorist groups operating in Nigeria.
Investigations show that contractor-operated surveillance aircraft have been flying over large portions of Nigerian airspace almost daily. The missions reportedly began shortly after President Trump publicly criticised Nigeria’s handling of insecurity, particularly violence affecting Christian communities, and warned of possible U.S. intervention.
Although the precise objectives of the surveillance flights remain undisclosed, U.S. officials say the operations are focused on gathering intelligence on militant groups, including Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The surveillance campaign also follows the kidnapping of a U.S. pilot employed by a missionary aviation group in neighbouring Niger earlier this year, further heightening Washington’s security concerns in the region.
Aircraft Operating From Ghana
Flight tracking data analysed by Reuters shows that the aircraft typically departs from Accra, Ghana, flies extensive routes over Nigeria, and returns to the Ghanaian capital. The aircraft is reportedly operated by Tenax Aerospace, a Mississippi-based company known for providing special mission aircraft and working closely with the U.S. military.
Tenax Aerospace did not respond to requests for comment.
Liam Karr, Africa Team Lead at the Critical Threats Project of the American Enterprise Institute, confirmed analysing the flight data and described the operation as consistent with U.S. military intelligence activity.
“The flights appear to be operating from Accra, which is a known logistics hub for U.S. military operations in West Africa,” Karr said.
He added that the surveillance flights indicate Washington is rebuilding its regional intelligence capacity following Niger’s decision last year to expel U.S. troops from a major American air base and pivot toward Russia for security support.
“In recent weeks, we’ve seen a clear resumption of intelligence and surveillance flights over Nigeria,” Karr noted.
U.S. Assets Relocated After Niger Exit
A former U.S. official disclosed that several intelligence assets were relocated to Ghana by the Trump administration in November. According to the official, the missions include tracking the kidnapped American pilot and monitoring extremist networks across Nigeria.
A current U.S. official confirmed that the aircraft has been flying over Nigeria but declined to provide further details, citing diplomatic sensitivity.
Another U.S. administration official stated that Washington remains committed to working with Nigeria to address “religious violence, anti-Christian attacks, and the destabilising spread of terrorism.”
All officials spoke on condition of anonymity.
In a brief statement, the Pentagon confirmed holding “productive engagements” with Nigerian authorities following President Trump’s remarks but declined to comment on intelligence operations.
Nigeria Pushes Back On Persecution Claims
Nigeria’s government has consistently rejected claims that Christian communities are uniquely targeted, insisting that armed groups attack both Muslims and Christians and that the conflict is driven by terrorism, banditry, and criminal violence rather than religious persecution.
Nevertheless, Nigerian authorities have reportedly agreed to deepen cooperation with the United States to strengthen intelligence capabilities and counterterrorism operations.
A Nigerian security source revealed that during a November 20 meeting between National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Washington agreed to deploy air assets to support intelligence gathering over Nigeria. Nigerian military officials did not respond to follow-up inquiries.
Flight data further shows that the Tenax Aerospace aircraft was sighted at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida — headquarters of the U.S. Special Operations Command — on November 7, before flying to Ghana on November 24, days after the high-level U.S.–Nigeria security talks.
The aircraft, identified as a Gulfstream V jet commonly modified for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, has reportedly conducted near-daily flights over Nigeria since the operation began.
The intensified surveillance comes amid worsening insecurity across Nigeria, with insurgency, kidnappings, and mass violence continuing to pose serious challenges to national stability.
