“Christian Genocide:” US Intensifies Military Surveillance over Nigeria

The United States has significantly stepped up military surveillance over Nigeria, deploying intelligence-gathering aircraft across large parts of the country, even as it insists that it has no plans to launch a direct military intervention.

Flight-tracking data and accounts from current and former US officials show that the surveillance missions, operated by US contractors, have been conducted almost daily since late November, according to an exclusive report by Reuters. The development points to expanded security engagement between Washington and Abuja amid rising tensions over Nigeria’s security and religious-freedom challenges.

The flights follow remarks by US President Donald Trump in November accusing Nigeria of failing to stop the killing of Christians and warning of possible military action. However, US officials and lawmakers have since moved to dampen speculation, stressing that Washington has ruled out the deployment of troops to Nigerian soil.

Reuters reported that the aircraft typically take off from Accra, Ghana, fly extensive routes over Nigeria and return to base. The aircraft is operated by Tenax Aerospace, a Mississippi-based firm that provides special-mission aircraft and works closely with the US military. The company declined to comment.

Liam Karr, Africa team lead at the Critical Threats Project of the American Enterprise Institute, said analysis of the flight paths suggests the missions are being coordinated from Accra, a major US military logistics hub in West Africa.

“We’ve seen a clear resumption of US intelligence and surveillance flights over Nigeria in recent weeks,” Karr said, noting that the operations indicate an effort by Washington to rebuild intelligence capacity in the region after Niger expelled US forces from a key air base last year and pivoted toward Russia.

A former US official told Reuters that the aircraft was among several US intelligence assets repositioned to Ghana in November. The missions, the official said, include tracking militant groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, as well as supporting efforts to locate a US pilot kidnapped earlier this year in neighbouring Niger.

A current US official confirmed the flights over Nigeria but declined to provide details, citing diplomatic sensitivities. Another administration official said the US continues to work closely with Nigeria to address terrorism, religious violence and the broader threat posed by extremist groups.

The Pentagon said in a statement that it had held “productive engagements” with Nigerian officials following Trump’s comments but would not discuss intelligence operations. Nigerian and Ghanaian defence officials did not respond to requests for comment.

Security sources in Nigeria said the stepped-up surveillance followed a November 20 meeting between National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, during which Washington agreed to deploy air assets solely for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Flight data show that a Tenax Aerospace aircraft was seen at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida on November 7 before flying to Ghana on November 24, shortly after the high-level talks. The aircraft, a Gulfstream V business jet commonly adapted for surveillance operations, has since flown repeatedly over Nigerian territory.

Despite the heightened surveillance, US officials have emphasised that Washington has ruled out military intervention. Members of a bipartisan US congressional delegation visiting Nigeria said the decision to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom was intended to apply diplomatic pressure and encourage reforms, not to justify troop deployment.

“Nigeria needs support, but that does not mean US soldiers,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga, who led the delegation. “This is about partnership and accountability, not boots on the ground.”

The lawmakers stressed that violence in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims, particularly in the Middle Belt, and that protecting all citizens remains the responsibility of the Nigerian government. They added that Nigeria’s CPC designation would be reviewed based on progress made in curbing violence and strengthening religious freedom.

While ruling out troop deployment, the delegation expressed support for expanded non-military engagement, including intelligence sharing, humanitarian assistance and institutional capacity-building—described as putting “shoes on the ground, not boots.”

The Federal Government has consistently rejected claims of a targeted “Christian genocide,” arguing that insecurity in Nigeria is driven by terrorism, banditry and criminal violence that affects communities across religious lines. Abuja has nonetheless pledged continued cooperation with Washington to counter militant threats.

The intensified US surveillance coincides with fresh security incidents in Nigeria. On Sunday night, gunmen reportedly abducted 28 travellers, including women and children, in Zak community, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, as they travelled to attend a Maulud event.

A youth leader in Wase, Sapi’i Sambo, confirmed the abduction, while Plateau State Police spokesperson SP Alabo Alfred said the incident is under investigation.

The kidnapping comes barely a week after at least 12 miners were killed in an attack on a mining site in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, underscoring Nigeria’s worsening insecurity even as international partners deepen intelligence cooperation rather than pursue direct military action.