- US Steps Up Intelligence Surveillance Over Nigeria
- Operations linked to intelligence and counterterrorism efforts
- Nigeria rejects claims of religiously targeted violence
The United States has intensified intelligence gathering operations over Nigeria, with surveillance flights conducted across large parts of the country since late November, according to flight tracking data and US officials cited by Reuters.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the report said the purpose of the missions could not be independently confirmed, but noted that the flights followed comments by former US President Donald Trump in November, when he threatened possible military action over what he described as Nigeria’s failure to curb violence against Christian communities.
Flight tracking data showed that the contractor operated aircraft typically departed from Ghana, flew over Nigerian airspace and returned to Accra. The aircraft was identified as being operated by Tenax Aerospace, a Mississippi based company known for providing special mission aircraft and working closely with the US military.
The Africa team lead at the Critical Threats Project of the American Enterprise Institute, Liam Karr, said the flights appeared to be coordinated from Accra, which he described as a key hub in the US military logistics network in Africa.
Karr added that the surveillance suggested Washington was rebuilding intelligence capacity in the region following Niger’s decision last year to expel US troops from a major air base and strengthen security ties with Russia.
A former US official said the aircraft was among several intelligence assets relocated to Ghana in November. The missions reportedly include monitoring militant groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, as well as efforts linked to the search for a kidnapped US pilot in neighbouring Niger.
A serving US official confirmed the flights over Nigeria but declined further details, citing diplomatic sensitivity. Another administration official said the US continued to work with Nigeria to address religious violence and the spread of terrorism.
Nigeria has consistently maintained that armed groups target both Christians and Muslims, arguing that claims of religious persecution oversimplify a complex security challenge.
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