The United States has been flying intelligence and surveillance aircraft over wide parts of Nigeria since late November, according to flight tracking data and interviews with current and former US officials cited by Reuters.

The operations, first reported exclusively by the news agency on Monday, point to closer security coordination between Washington and Abuja at a time of heightened diplomatic strain between the two countries.

Although the precise objective of the flights could not be independently confirmed, they began weeks after US President Donald Trump publicly warned of possible military intervention in Nigeria. In November, Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to stop deadly attacks on Christian communities.

The surveillance missions also come against the backdrop of a separate regional security incident. Earlier this year, a US pilot working for a missionary organisation was kidnapped in neighbouring Niger, raising further concerns about militant activity in West Africa.

Flight tracking records reviewed by Reuters show that the aircraft involved typically departs from Accra, Ghana, crosses Nigerian airspace, and then returns to the Ghanaian capital. The plane is operated by Tenax Aerospace, a Mississippi-based company that supplies special mission aircraft and works closely with the US military. The firm did not respond to requests for comment.

Liam Karr, Africa team lead at the Critical Threats Project of the American Enterprise Institute, said analysis of the data suggests the operation is being coordinated from Accra, a long-established logistics hub for US military activities in Africa

“In recent weeks, we have seen a resumption of intelligence and surveillance flights in Nigeria,” Karr said in remarks reported by Reuters.

He added that the flights appear to reflect efforts by Washington to rebuild intelligence capabilities in the region. Last year, Niger ordered US forces to vacate a major air base and later turned to Russia for security assistance.

According to Reuters, a former US official said the aircraft was among several intelligence assets relocated to Ghana in November under the Trump administration. While the total number of aircraft involved remains unclear, the missions reportedly include efforts to locate the kidnapped US pilot and to monitor militant groups operating in Nigeria, including Boko Haram and its splinter faction, Islamic State West Africa Province.

A current US official confirmed that the aircraft has been flying over Nigeria but declined to provide further details, citing diplomatic sensitivities. Another administration official said the United States continues to work with Nigeria to address religious violence, attacks on Christian communities, and the broader spread of terrorism. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity.

In a statement, the Pentagon said it had held productive discussions with Nigerian officials following Trump’s warning but declined to comment on intelligence operations. Nigeria’s military spokesperson and Ghana’s deputy defence minister did not respond to inquiries, Reuters reported.

Nigeria’s Federal Government has repeatedly stated that armed groups target both Muslims and Christians, arguing that US claims of religious persecution oversimplify a complex security challenge. Officials say such claims also overlook government efforts to protect religious freedom. Despite the disagreement, Nigeria has agreed to cooperate with Washington to strengthen its response to militant threats.

The Reuters report further disclosed that, during a Nov. 20 meeting between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, the United States agreed to deploy air assets for intelligence gathering. A Nigerian security source familiar with the talks confirmed the development.

Flight tracking data show that the Tenax Aerospace aircraft was seen at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida on Nov. 7 before departing for Ghana on Nov. 24, shortly after the high-level security meeting. The aircraft, identified as a Gulfstream V business jet commonly adapted for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, has reportedly flown over Nigeria almost daily since then.

Relations between the two countries have come under further strain in recent months. In October, the Trump administration added Nigeria back to a US list of countries accused of violating religious freedom. Last week, Nigeria was also placed on a US travel ban list, facing partial entry restrictions.

Trump has directed the US Defence Department to prepare for possible rapid military action if Nigeria fails to curb attacks on Christians. In response, both countries have reportedly established a joint security task force, according to US Representative Riley Moore, who recently visited Nigeria.

Meanwhile, insecurity continues to grip parts of Nigeria, with gunmen suspected to have abducted 28 travellers in Plateau State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday night in Zak community, Bashar district, Wase Local Government Area, as the victims were travelling to Sabon Layi community to attend a Maulud religious event.

A youth leader in Wase, Sapi’i Sambo, confirmed the abduction in a telephone interview with journalists in Jos on Monday.

“Yes, this abduction really happened,” Sambo said.

Another resident of Bashar town, Ibrahim Musa, also confirmed the incident, adding that the whereabouts of the victims remain unknown.

Sambo said those taken included men, women, and children, as well as two princes and a religious leader who was leading the group.

The attack occurred around 8 p.m. when gunmen ambushed the vehicle on the outskirts of the community, seized all occupants, and abandoned the vehicle at the scene.

According to Sambo, the vehicle, which belongs to the Zak community leader, was discovered the following morning. Local investigations later confirmed it had been carrying the abducted travellers.

He said all efforts to locate the victims so far have been unsuccessful and that security agencies have been notified.

The spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alabo Alfred, confirmed that the incident is under investigation.

Residents of Wase and surrounding areas have voiced growing concern over worsening security conditions marked by kidnapping, banditry, and cattle rustling.

Just last week, at least 12 miners were buried in a mass funeral after gunmen attacked a mining site in Ratoso Fan community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. The series of violent incidents has renewed calls for stronger security measures across Plateau State.