Nigeria and the United States have launched a coordinated security operation targeting terrorist enclaves across several parts of the country, marking a renewed effort to weaken violent extremist networks and restore state authority in affected areas.
The joint operation involves Nigeria’s security agencies, backed by United States intelligence, surveillance, and technical advisory support.
It is focused on intelligence-led raids, sustained surveillance, and the disruption of logistics and supply chains that support insurgent and terror cells operating in both rural and urban locations.
Officials familiar with the collaboration said the operation prioritises precision actions during mapping and surveillance phases, with the aim of limiting civilian casualties while striking high-value targets.
The effort builds on long-standing defence and counterterrorism cooperation between Abuja and Washington.
The renewed offensive comes amid persistent security challenges linked to terrorism, banditry, and violent extremism, which have disrupted livelihoods, strained local economies, and displaced thousands across northern and central Nigeria.
According to current and former US officials, the United States has been conducting intelligence-gathering flights over large parts of Nigeria since late November, signalling heightened security cooperation between both countries.
Flight tracking data reviewed by Reuters shows that the surveillance missions are operated by contractor aircraft flying out of Ghana.
The flights follow comments by US President Donald Trump in November, when he warned of possible military action over what he described as Nigeria’s failure to curb violence targeting Christian communities.
The surveillance activity also comes months after a US pilot working for a missionary organisation was kidnapped in neighbouring Niger.
The contractor-operated aircraft typically departs from Accra, flies over Nigerian territory, and returns to Ghana.
Flight data for December identified the operator as Mississippi-based Tenax Aerospace, a company that provides special mission aircraft and works closely with the US military.
Liam Karr, Africa Team Lead at the American Enterprise Institute’s Critical Threats Project, said analysis of the data suggests the operation is being coordinated from Accra, a known logistics hub for US military activities in Africa.
“In recent weeks we’ve seen a resumption of intelligence and surveillance flights in Nigeria,” Karr told Reuters, describing the move as an early sign of Washington rebuilding regional capacity after Niger ordered US troops to leave a major desert air base last year.
A former US official said the aircraft is among several assets relocated to Ghana in November and is being used to track militant groups and assist efforts to locate the kidnapped US pilot.
Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province, remain among the most active extremist organisations in Nigeria.
A current US official confirmed the flights but declined to provide operational details, citing diplomatic sensitivity.
Another administration official said Washington continues to work with Nigeria to address religious violence and the spread of terrorism.
While Nigerian authorities maintain that armed groups target both Muslims and Christians, the US has pressed Abuja on protecting religious freedom. Nigerian officials, however, have agreed to deepen cooperation to strengthen security forces against militant threats.
Flight data also showed a Tenax Aerospace aircraft at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida on November 7 before it flew to Ghana on November 24, days after high-level security talks between US and Nigerian officials.
The aircraft, a modified Gulfstream V jet, has reportedly flown over Nigeria almost daily since operations began.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu last month declared a security emergency and ordered mass recruitment into the army and police to confront escalating armed violence nationwide.
Yuletide Security: Military, Police Roll Out Nationwide Deployments
As part of broader security efforts, Nigeria’s military and police have announced extensive nationwide deployments to ensure a peaceful and crime-free Christmas and New Year period.
The Defence Headquarters said the Armed Forces of Nigeria, working with other security agencies, have intensified operations across vulnerable areas identified as prone to terrorist and criminal activity.
In a statement, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, confirmed that additional troops had been deployed to strategic locations and major routes. Special forces units and air components have also been placed on high alert to enable rapid response.
He said surveillance had been strengthened through aerial monitoring and improved intelligence gathering to track suspected criminal movements.
Unit commanders nationwide have been directed to increase patrols, reinforce checkpoints, and deepen collaboration with community leaders, vigilante groups, and state security outfits.
“The security and stability of our nation remain our top priority,” Onoja said. “Every necessary measure is being taken to ensure that Nigerians can celebrate Christmas and the New Year in peace, unity and joy.”
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, also urged citizens to share security-related information and extended festive greetings to Nigerians.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the strategic deployment of police personnel and assets nationwide to complement military operations.
Police spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin said the directive forms part of the force’s proactive yuletide security strategy.
He said patrols, intelligence-led operations, raids on criminal hideouts, and visibility policing have been intensified. Specialised units, including the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Command, Intelligence Response Team, and Air Wing, have been placed on heightened readiness.
Deployments have been prioritised around places of worship, markets, transport hubs, highways, recreational centres, and other high-density public areas.
Additional patrols have been activated along major inter-state routes to curb road crimes and accidents.
The Nigeria Police Force said it remains committed to ensuring the festive season and beyond are enjoyed in an atmosphere of safety nationwide.
Army, FCTA, States Step Up Local Enforcement
Separately, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, directed troops of the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division to intensify offensive operations against criminal elements during his maiden visit to the division’s headquarters in Ibadan.
According to the army, Shaibu commended the troops for successes recorded so far and urged them to sustain the operational tempo.
“Go after kidnappers and other miscreants wherever they may be in forests, bushes or other hideouts,” he said, adding that criminal activity must be reduced to the barest minimum.
The army chief also reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, announcing approvals for the renovation and construction of residential facilities within barracks.
In the Federal Capital Territory, the FCTA’s Operation Sweep task force conducted security sweeps of motor parks and strategic locations to flush out criminal elements. Officials said the operation targeted illegal parks often used by “one chance” robbery syndicates.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command has banned the use of fireworks during the festive season. Commissioner of Police Abdullahi Adamu Elleman ordered heightened deployment to places of worship, recreation centres, motor parks, and highways, stressing intelligence-led and high-visibility policing.
Authorities across the country have urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies as operations continue nationwide.
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