U.S. surveillance operations have resumed across Nigeria following airstrikes on ISWAP positions, signalling deeper military cooperation and sustained counterterrorism engagement.
The United States has resumed aerial intelligence activities over Nigeria, marking a renewed phase of security engagement just days after conducting targeted airstrikes against fighters linked to the Islamic State in Sokoto State.
The development signals a sustained U.S. interest in monitoring extremist movements across Nigeria’s volatile regions, particularly the North-East.
Flight-tracking data reviewed over the weekend revealed the presence of a U.S. intelligence aircraft operating above parts of northeastern Nigeria, including Borno State.
The information was shared by Sahel-focused terrorism analyst Brandon Philip, who closely follows militant activity and foreign military operations across West Africa.
According to the data, the aircraft involved is a Gulfstream V jet, a long-range platform frequently modified for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Analysts note that such aircraft are equipped to gather real-time intelligence, track militant movements, and relay critical information to ground and air forces.
Philip stated that the renewed U.S. surveillance operations are largely concentrated on the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), an extremist group that remains active in Nigeria’s North-East and around the Lake Chad Basin.
In a post on social media platform X, Philip disclosed that the surveillance flights resumed after a brief pause that followed the U.S. airstrikes in Sokoto State.
He explained that the aircraft was observed conducting operations over the Sambisa Forest area in Borno State, a region long associated with insurgent hideouts and militant training camps.
Records further indicate that U.S. surveillance operations over Nigeria first began on November 24, shortly after the aircraft departed from Ghana.
Ghana is widely regarded as a strategic logistics base for the U.S. military’s Africa Command, providing operational support for missions across the Sahel and coastal West Africa.
Since the start of the missions, the aircraft has reportedly flown reconnaissance sorties over Nigeria almost daily.
The flight data links the aircraft’s operator to Tenax Aerospace, a company known for providing specialised aviation and surveillance services to the U.S. Department of Defense.
While the Pentagon has not issued an official statement on the specific objectives of the missions, a former U.S. official previously confirmed that the initial flights were partly aimed at locating an American pilot kidnapped in neighbouring Niger.
The operations also served the broader purpose of gathering intelligence on armed groups operating within Nigeria’s borders.
Security analysts say the return of U.S. surveillance operations underscores growing concern in Washington over the persistence of extremist violence in Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad region.
Despite sustained military pressure by Nigerian forces, groups such as ISWAP have continued to stage attacks on civilian communities, military positions and infrastructure.
The renewed intelligence activity follows high-level discussions between Nigerian and U.S. security officials in Washington.
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, recently met with U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to review ongoing security challenges and strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.
The talks reportedly focused on intelligence sharing, counterterrorism coordination and regional stability.
After the meeting, Hegseth stated that the U.S. Department of Defense would work more aggressively with Nigeria to confront extremist threats.
He referenced concerns about attacks by jihadist groups, including violence targeting Christian communities in parts of the country.
His remarks suggest that U.S.–Nigeria military cooperation may deepen in the coming months.
The renewed engagement also comes amid strong rhetoric from former U.S. president Donald Trump, who has previously warned of possible military intervention over Nigeria’s security situation.
Trump, who approved the initial airstrikes in Sokoto State, later suggested that further strikes could follow, indicating what observers describe as a prolonged phase of U.S. counterterrorism involvement.
For Nigerian security experts, the resumption of U.S. surveillance operations presents both opportunities and challenges.
While enhanced intelligence support could improve Nigeria’s ability to disrupt militant networks, analysts caution that sustained success will depend on effective coordination with local forces and long-term investment in stabilisation efforts.
As extremist groups continue to exploit porous borders and difficult terrain, the role of aerial intelligence is expected to remain critical.
The latest developments suggest that the United States is positioning itself for an expanded monitoring role, even as Nigeria remains at the forefront of ground operations.
Together, the renewed U.S. surveillance operations and recent airstrikes highlight a broader strategy aimed at curbing extremist influence in Nigeria and preventing the spread of insurgency across the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.
Ireport247news
