The war against terrorism in Nigeria’s North-East has entered a new and significant phase.
Reports from security experts indicate that a United States Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft has been conducting reconnaissance missions over Borno State, specifically targeting areas controlled by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
This covert operation, which reportedly takes off from Accra, Ghana, is said to be part of a military deal between the US and the Nigerian government.
The deployment signals a deepened partnership aimed at closing the critical ISR gap currently faced by the Nigerian military in its fight against escalating terrorism.
Filling the ISR Gap
Security experts, like Brant Philip, a tracker focused on the Sahel, have confirmed the presence of the manned US ISR aircraft flying over ISWAP strongholds in the southwestern Lake Chad area of Borno.
The reconnaissance flights are designed to provide real-time, high-fidelity intelligence on the movement and positions of ISWAP fighters—information that is crucial for effective military targeting and counter-insurgency operations.
The partnership is reportedly focused on allowing the American counterpart to supply ISR capabilities, potentially including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for future airstrikes against terrorist targets.
The Nigerian military has long sought to improve its aerial surveillance and precision strike capabilities, acquiring assets like the A-29 Super Tucano jets.
However, the sheer scale of the conflict and the tactical sophistication of groups like ISWAP—which has begun deploying weaponized commercial drones—necessitate advanced, persistent surveillance.
The US involvement appears to be a direct response to this urgent need.
Operational Security Concerns
While the military cooperation is seen as a major boost for the counter-terrorism effort, the deployment has not been without controversy, particularly concerning its secrecy and operational security.
Sources indicate that the flights were initially unannounced by the Nigerian government, suggesting a ‘behind closed doors’ agreement.
More critically, the real-time tracking and disclosure of the ISR aircraft’s flight paths on social media by open-source intelligence enthusiasts have already begun to undermine operational gains.
- Compromised Operations: Reckless leaks of sensitive flight details have been linked to ISWAP fighters being prompted to relocate from monitored areas, effectively allowing them to evade potential air interdiction.
- Endangering Personnel: Security sources have warned that sharing such sensitive, real-time intelligence is akin to sabotage, as terrorist groups also monitor these platforms.
The Fight Against a Sophisticated Enemy
The deployment comes amid a resurgence of violent attacks by ISWAP across the North-East, highlighting the group’s tactical evolution, including the increased use of weaponized drones and coordinated assaults on military bases and infrastructure.
The US reconnaissance flights offer a distinct advantage by providing the enhanced battlefield awareness needed to counter these advanced threats. However, the overall success of this international military effort will depend not just on the technology deployed, but on the coordination, speed, and discretion with which the intelligence is acted upon, as well as the ability of both Nigerian and US forces to secure the information environment from harmful leaks.
You can learn more about the United States’ approval of a major arms sale to Nigeria amid the Boko Haram insurgency here: US Approves $346m Arms Sale to Nigeria Amid Boko Haram Insurgency.
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