(DDM) – The United States has commenced daily surveillance flights over Nigeria, a development that underscores rising security concerns and deepening intelligence cooperation between the two nations.
These operations began in late November 2025, with Gulfstream V intelligence aircraft, operated by a U.S. contractor, conducting monitoring missions across Nigerian airspace, usually taking off from Accra, Ghana.
The flights come after President Donald Trump made controversial remarks threatening U.S. intervention if Nigeria failed to curb violence against religious communities, a claim strongly denied by Nigerian authorities.
The diplomatic exchanges between Washington and Abuja have been ongoing as Nigeria seeks to clarify the nation’s complex security situation.
According to U.S. officials, the surveillance missions are not intended to target specific communities but are designed to enhance intelligence gathering on extremist organizations, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The objective is to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation and provide Nigerian security agencies with actionable insights to curb violent insurgencies in the country’s northeast and other affected regions.
Experts note that the operations are part of a wider U.S. strategy to expand its strategic footprint in West Africa amid escalating regional instability.
Observers have also highlighted the timing of the flights, which coincide with heightened attacks by violent groups in Nigeria, raising concerns about potential escalation in local security measures.
The U.S. missions follow a series of high-profile security incidents across Nigeria, including attacks on civilians, schools, and religious institutions, which have drawn both national and international attention.
Nigerian authorities have emphasized that these flights are conducted with Abuja’s knowledge and that coordination with local security agencies remains a priority.
While some local analysts express caution, fearing sovereignty concerns, government officials maintain that the partnership is essential to bolster intelligence and respond effectively to ongoing threats.
The collaboration represents a continuation of U.S.-Nigeria security relations, previously focused on training, equipment provision, and information sharing to counter terrorism in the region.
The surveillance flights are expected to continue daily, providing both nations with critical data on insurgent movement, safe havens, and operational patterns.
Nigerian security experts believe the intelligence will play a key role in improving response times to attacks and enhancing the overall security architecture in the country.
As the missions progress, observers will be monitoring their impact on Nigeria’s internal security and the diplomatic relationship between Abuja and Washington, particularly in managing the delicate balance between national sovereignty and international cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts.