Unusual military activity in Nigeria’s airspace has raised fresh questions about the scope of a growing security partnership between Abuja and Washington, following reports that a United States surveillance fighter jet was sighted flying over Kwara and Ekiti States.

The operation, according to security analysts, marks a significant turn in U.S. intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) activity in the region, with potential implications for Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy.

The development comes as senior U.S. officials reportedly arrived in Abuja on Wednesday night, fuelling speculation about imminent announcements on bilateral security arrangements. While the Nigerian government has yet to issue an official statement, information emerging from defence experts suggests that the United States may be deepening its involvement in Nigeria’s fight against extremist groups.

First-Ever U.S. Surveillance Operations in Southwestern Nigeria

Security expert and Sahel conflict reporter, Brant Phillip, disclosed earlier that U.S. reconnaissance flights were being conducted over parts of western Nigeria, reportedly originating from a U.S. military facility in Ghana. His report generated wide reactions last week after suggesting that the operations were already underway without any publicly acknowledged authorization from the Nigerian government.

On Thursday, Phillip shared further updates indicating that the U.S. Air Force had extended its ISR operations into southwestern Nigeria, marking what he described as “the first time the U.S. is conducting ISR in southwest Nigeria.”

According to him, the surveillance aircraft flew over Kwara and Ekiti States, spending extended periods gathering intelligence data.

“For the first time, the U.S. is conducting ISR in southwest Nigeria, above Kwara and Ekiti States. This comes following the potential arrival of U.S. officials in Abuja last night,” he wrote.

ISR—intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance—plays a critical role in modern counterterrorism operations, enabling foreign militaries to detect threats, observe movement, and track militant activities across vast terrains.

Increased U.S. Activity Over Northern Extremist Hotspots

Phillip further revealed that U.S. aircraft were also conducting surveillance in IS-Sahel-dominated regions of northern Nigeria. He noted ongoing ISR missions over Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State—an area that has seen escalating militant activity linked to Islamic State affiliates.

He stated that U.S. aircraft had spent more than an hour over Kainji, Niger State, and an additional one and a half hours over Tangaza, with transponders intermittently switching on and off—a technique consistent with covert operations involving sensitive intelligence gathering.

According to the analyst, the Sokoto flights marked the second consecutive day of ISR activity, and the sixth day of combined surveillance across two Islamic State provinces operating within Nigeria.

U.S. May Be Cleared to Conduct UAV Airstrikes in Nigeria

One of the most significant revelations in Phillip’s series of reports comes from a private source he claims is familiar with the ongoing military discussions between the United States and Nigeria.

According to the source, the U.S. has been granted permission—under a still-unannounced security deal—to conduct unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) airstrikes against terrorist targets inside Nigeria. Crucially, the alleged agreement allows only unmanned aircraft, excluding manned fighter jets or bombers from conducting offensive operations.

This suggests that any potential airstrike campaign by the U.S. would rely on armed drones rather than conventional warplanes.

“The U.S. will be allowed to conduct UAV airstrikes against terrorist targets inside Nigeria. The scope only includes unmanned aircrafts, not fighter jets or bombers,” Phillip quoted his source as saying.

Kainji Air Base Likely to Serve as Launchpad

There are also indications that the U.S. may utilize Kainji Air Base in Niger State as its operational hub for the ISR missions and possible UAV strikes. Kainji, one of Nigeria’s largest military air facilities, has historically hosted foreign military collaborations, including past partnerships with the United States.

Phillip noted that this detail is “likely but still unconfirmed,” as neither government has officially announced such an arrangement.

He added that the U.S. role in the partnership would primarily revolve around filling intelligence gaps that the Nigerian Army and Air Force currently struggle to cover due to limited ISR assets. These would include both manned surveillance aircraft and UAVs.

Background: U.S.–Nigeria Tensions Over Human Rights, Religious Killings

The renewed military cooperation follows a period of diplomatic tension between Abuja and Washington.

News Week Nigeria previously reported that U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged killings of Christians. The redesignation increased scrutiny of Nigeria’s internal security operations and human rights performance.

Nonetheless, recent developments suggest that despite political disagreements, the U.S. government views Nigeria’s deteriorating security landscape—marked by Islamic State affiliates, Boko Haram, and various armed groups—as necessitating renewed military engagement.

What This Means for Nigeria’s Security Landscape

If confirmed, the permission for U.S. UAV airstrikes in Nigeria would mark one of the most significant foreign military collaborations in the country since the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) operations around Lake Chad.

The expansion of U.S. ISR activity into southwestern Nigeria, a region historically insulated from heavy extremist presence, signals Washington’s concerns about evolving militant networks and possible expansion routes.

For many Nigerians, the flights raise questions:

Has a new defence agreement already been signed?

Why has there been no official communication from the federal government?

What are the implications for Nigeria’s sovereignty?

Analysts argue that while U.S. assistance could boost Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, transparency is essential to avoid public distrust and constitutional disputes over foreign military operations on Nigerian soil.

Awaiting Official Confirmation

As of Friday morning, neither the Nigerian Ministry of Defence, the Nigerian Air Force, nor the U.S. Embassy in Abuja had issued statements regarding the reported flights or the alleged military agreement.

Until official confirmation emerges, the increased air activity and arrival of U.S. officials in Abuja will continue to fuel questions about the scale and intentions of the evolving security partnership between the two nations. (The Podium Media, excluding headline)

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