U.S. Military Collaborates with Nigeria Using Drones for Surveillance
Recent reports suggest that the U.S. military has deployed surveillance drones in Nigeria, collaborating with the Nigerian government to monitor various jihadist groups operating in the region.
On Monday, it was reported by the Associated Press that the drone in use is an MQ-9 Reaper, capable of flying over 40,000 feet and remaining airborne for more than 30 hours. A Nigerian military official had previously indicated that these drones were indeed operating within the country. The report noted comments from the Department of Defense Africa Command, affirming that the U.S. is offering intelligence support, advisory assistance, and targeted training to bolster the Nigerian military’s efforts.
According to a report by Agence France-Presse, which was also circulated by Nigerian media, there are a limited number of U.S. troops assisting the Nigerian military, with the drones reportedly operated from an air base in Bauchi state.
“The support from the U.S. aims to enhance Nigeria’s own capabilities in detecting, tracking, and preventing terrorist activities,” stated Maj. Gen. Samaira Uba of Nigeria. He also mentioned that this collaboration has improved intelligence sharing and overall military effectiveness against extremist organizations.
In February, Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson, commander of Africa Command, noted that a small team of Americans with unique capabilities was being sent to assist Nigeria in combating jihadist threats.
The recent deployment of Reaper drones has been described by a Nigerian outlet as a “quiet but significant shift” in the security dynamics of West Africa. It was suggested that the presence of U.S. capabilities fills a long-standing operational gap in northeastern Nigeria, where rebel groups have historically exploited the challenging terrain and porous borders.
This decision by the Pentagon also helps the U.S. maintain a surveillance presence after losing a critical position in the Sahel region due to troop withdrawals from Niger in 2024. The partnership with Nigeria seems to emphasize a strategic move to ensure operational visibility rather than an expansion of influence in the region.
The technology being utilized follows a period of heightened tension between former President Donald Trump and President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria. Towards the end of 2025, Trump had reinstated Nigeria on the State Department’s list of countries of particular concern regarding religious freedom, highlighting the threats faced by Christians from various terrorist factions like Boko Haram and Fulani militants.
Human rights organizations have long labeled Nigeria as a dangerous place for Christians, but authorities have often pushed back against claims of discrimination. Tinubu, for instance, insisted that the characterization of Nigeria as intolerant was not reflective of reality, despite ongoing violence against Christians, with thousands killed each year.
In a statement to the press, Open Doors CEO Ryan Braun described Nigeria as having the highest violence score for eight consecutive years, noting the killings of 3,490 Nigerian Christians for their faith within a recent reporting period.
Amid these challenges, Trump announced plans for a “strong and deadly attack” on jihadists in northern Nigeria on Christmas Day. He expressed that if terrorists did not cease their activities against Christians, they would face significant consequences. Following the announcement, the Nigerian government clarified that the U.S. was kept informed and was cooperating in these efforts, emphasizing that such actions were not unilateral.
In his year-end address, Tinubu underscored that the Nigerian military has continued operations against terrorist groups in collaboration with international partners, including the United States.
