The United States has reportedly commenced intelligence-gathering flights over significant portions of Nigeria since late November, signaling a potential increase in security cooperation between the two nations. This development, based on flight-tracking data and insights from current and former US officials, was initially reported by Reuters. While the specific nature of the information being collected remains undisclosed, these surveillance missions in West Africa unfold amidst a backdrop of escalating regional tensions and security concerns.

The commencement of these flights follows threats made in November by then-President Donald Trump, who indicated a willingness to intervene militarily in Nigeria due to what he described as the Nigerian government's failure to curb violence targeting Christian communities. Furthermore, these missions are taking place mere months after a US pilot, working for a missionary agency, was abducted in the neighboring Niger Republic.

According to flight-tracking data for December, the US contractor-operated aircraft conducting these surveillance missions typically depart from Ghana, traverse Nigerian airspace, and subsequently return to Accra, the Ghanaian capital. The data points to Mississippi-based Tenax Aerospace as the operator of these aircraft. Tenax Aerospace is known for providing special-mission aircraft and maintains close collaboration with the US military, as detailed on its corporate website. The company did not offer a comment when contacted regarding these operations.

Liam Karr, the Africa team lead for the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, conducted an analysis of the flight data. Karr noted that the operation appeared to be originating from an airport in Accra, which is recognized as a crucial hub within the US military's logistical network across Africa. Karr further interpreted this operation as an early indication that the United States is actively rebuilding its intelligence and surveillance capabilities in the region. This rebuilding effort comes after Niger had, in the previous year, ordered US troops to withdraw from a substantial, newly constructed air base in its desert territory, subsequently turning to Russia for security assistance instead.

"In recent weeks, we have seen a resumption of intelligence and surveillance flights in Nigeria," Karr confirmed in an interview. A former US official corroborated that the aircraft involved was among several assets that the Trump administration had relocated to Ghana in November. While the exact number of aircraft currently based there is unclear, the former official indicated that these missions encompass efforts to track the kidnapped US pilot and to gather critical intelligence on various militant groups active within Nigeria, including Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).