Exclusive: US surveillance planes over Nigeria on threat of Trump intervention
Since late November, the U.S. has been carrying out intelligence-gathering flights over extensive areas of Nigeria, as indicated by flight tracking data and statements from current and former U.S. officials, reflecting a notable enhancement in security cooperation between the two nations.
Reuters was unable to ascertain the purpose of the information the flights are intended to gather.
However, the flights in West Africa are a response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats in November regarding a potential military intervention in Nigeria, citing its inability to curb violence against Christian communities. The flights are taking place just months after a U.S. pilot employed by a missionary agency was abducted in neighboring Niger.
The aircraft operated by U.S. contractors for surveillance missions generally departs from Ghana, traverses Nigeria, and then returns to Accra, the capital of Ghana, as indicated by the tracking data for December.
Flight tracking data indicates that the operator is Tenax Aerospace, based in Mississippi, which specializes in special mission aircraft and collaborates closely with the U.S. military, as stated on the company’s website. Tenax Aerospace has not provided a response to the request for comment.
Liam Karr, the Africa Team Lead for the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, has conducted an analysis of the flight data. He stated that the operation seemed to be based out of an airport in Accra, which is recognized as a key hub for the U.S. military’s logistics network in Africa.
Karr stated that the operation indicated the U.S. was beginning to restore its presence in the region following Niger’s decision to expel U.S. troops from a large, recently constructed air base in the desert last year, opting instead for security support from Russia.
“In recent weeks, there has been a resumption of intelligence and surveillance flights in Nigeria,” Karr stated during an interview.
A former U.S. official stated that the aircraft is one of several assets relocated to Ghana by the Trump administration in November. The exact number of aircraft still in Ghana is uncertain; however, the former official indicated that the missions involve locating the kidnapped U.S. pilot and collecting intelligence on militant groups active in Nigeria. Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province, are notable militant organizations active in Nigeria.
A U.S. official has confirmed that the aircraft has been operating over Nigeria, but chose not to disclose further details due to the sensitive nature of the diplomatic situation.
A different administration official indicated that Washington is actively collaborating with Nigeria to tackle issues related to religious violence, anti-Christian attacks, and the destabilizing proliferation of terrorism.
Both the former U.S. official and the current administration officials provided their insights while remaining anonymous.
The Pentagon stated that the U.S. government engaged in constructive meetings with Nigeria in light of Trump’s message regarding the country, but chose not to comment on intelligence issues.
The spokesperson for Nigeria’s military has not provided a response to requests for comment. The deputy defense minister of Ghana also did not provide a response to a request for comment.
Regular Monitoring Flights
The Nigerian government has stated that armed groups are targeting both Muslims and Christians, asserting that U.S. claims regarding the persecution of Christians do not accurately reflect the complex security situation and overlook the efforts made to protect religious freedom. However, it has consented to collaborate with the U.S. to strengthen its forces against militant groups.
The population of the country is divided, with Muslims predominantly residing in the north and Christians mainly in the south.
A Nigerian security source, who requested to remain unnamed, reported that during a meeting on November 20 between Nigerian National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the U.S. consented to deploy air assets for intelligence gathering. The Nigerian military’s spokesperson has not provided a response to requests for comment.
On November 7, flight tracking data indicated that the Tenax Aerospace aircraft was present at MacDill Air Force Base, the headquarters of the United States Special Operations Command located in Tampa, Florida. On November 24, it departed for Ghana, shortly following the high-level meeting involving U.S. and Nigerian security officials, as indicated by flight tracking data.
The data indicates that the aircraft has been flying over Nigeria nearly every day since the operation commenced. The aircraft is a Gulfstream V, a long-range business jet frequently adapted for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, as per the data.
SECURITY CRISIS IN NIGERIA
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu announced a security emergency last month and instructed the army and police to initiate mass recruitment to address the escalating armed violence throughout the nation.
The action came after assaults in several Nigerian states that resulted in civilian deaths and kidnappings, along with the large-scale abduction of over 300 schoolchildren in northern Nigeria.
The U.S. has taken measures to hold Nigeria accountable for what it sees as a failure to safeguard Christians.
In October, Trump reinstated Nigeria on a list of nations that the U.S. claims have infringed upon religious freedom. This week, Nigeria has been included in the U.S. travel ban list, which imposes partial restrictions and entry limitations on the country.
Trump has requested the Defense Department to get ready for potential “fast” military action in Nigeria should the West African country not take measures to address the killing of Christians.
According to Republican U.S. Representative Riley Moore, who recently visited Nigeria, the U.S. and Nigeria have formed a joint task force focused on security efforts.
