DZWatch Exclusive: The United States has reportedly been conducting intelligence-gathering surveillance flights over Nigeria since late November, raising questions about the scope and purpose of these operations.
Flight tracking data indicates that the flights, operated by a US-based contractor, originate from Accra, Ghana, and traverse Nigerian airspace before returning. The contractor is allegedly Tenax Aerospace, a Mississippi-based company specializing in providing aircraft for specialized missions in collaboration with the US military.
These flights come on the heels of statements from Washington expressing concerns about security in Nigeria. The nature of the intelligence being sought remains unclear, but some analysts suggest it could be related to monitoring armed groups operating in the region.
Liam Carr, head of the Africa team at the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, noted that the operation appears to be managed from Accra’s airport, a known hub for supporting US military logistics in Africa. He views this as a potential sign of Washington rebuilding its capabilities in the region.
A former US official confirmed that the aircraft is part of assets moved to Ghana and that the missions include gathering information on armed groups active in Nigeria, including Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa.
The US Department of Defense stated that it held “constructive” meetings with Nigeria following recent communications, but declined to discuss specifics. As of yet, there has been no official comment from the Nigerian military or Ghanaian authorities regarding these reported surveillance activities.
