Since late November, the United States has conducted intelligence collection flights across extensive areas of Nigeria, indicating stronger security ties between the two nations, based on flight tracking records and statements from US officials referenced by Reuters.
Monday’s report stated that the exact objectives of these surveillance operations could not be verified independently.
Nonetheless, these missions occur in the wake of November warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump about potential military action in Nigeria due to what he called the government’s inadequate response to attacks on Christian populations.
Reuters highlighted that the surveillance activities are also taking place several months after the abduction of a US pilot employed by a missionary organization in nearby Niger.
December flight tracking records indicate that the aircraft, operated by contractors, generally departs from Ghana, conducts operations over Nigeria, and lands back in Accra.
The spokesperson for Nigeria’s military and Ghana’s deputy defence minister declined to comment on inquiries.
Trump has additionally withdrawn Ambassador Richard Mills to Nigeria along with several other career diplomats from their overseas assignments.
Per Politico, this action forms part of an initiative to ensure US overseas diplomatic posts reflect President Trump’s “America First” agenda.
A State Department spokesperson told the outlet that the impacted ambassadors were originally nominated under the Joe Biden administration and would finish their roles as heads of mission in January.
Although the diplomats may return to Washington for alternative roles if desired, their terms as mission leaders will end.
Africa has been the hardest-hit area in these withdrawals, with ambassadors to 13 nations, such as Nigeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Uganda, included in the recalls.
Other impacted areas encompass the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the Western Hemisphere.
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