Just in: USA Fighter Jets Begins Surveillance In Ekiti, Kwara As Officials Arrive Abuja

A U.S. surveillance aircraft was sighted flying over Kwara and Ekiti States, signaling an expansion of American intelligence operations in Nigeria. The flights coincided with the arrival of senior U.S. officials in Abuja, raising speculation about a new but unannounced security agreement between both countries.

Security analyst Brant Phillip reported that these ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) missions originated from a U.S. facility in Ghana and marked the first U.S. surveillance activity in southwestern Nigeria. He also confirmed ongoing U.S. reconnaissance flights over militant hotspots in Niger and Sokoto States linked to Islamic State affiliates.

A confidential source further claimed that Nigeria has quietly granted the U.S. permission to conduct drone strikes against terrorist targets limited strictly to unmanned aircraft. Kainji Air Base in Niger State is suspected to be the operational hub.

Neither the Nigerian government nor the U.S. Embassy has issued any official confirmation, leaving Nigerians questioning the scale and transparency of this evolving security partnership.