Nigeria is set to intensify its domestic military operations using intelligence gathered from United States reconnaissance missions, as part of a growing security partnership between Abuja and Washington, a senior government source has confirmed.
The source, who spoke on Tuesday on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the arrangement, said the Nigerian Air Force would rely on intelligence supplied by US surveillance flights to improve targeting and operational effectiveness against armed groups operating across the country.
The development follows recent US airstrikes carried out on Christmas Day in parts of northwest Nigeria, with targets reportedly linked to Islamic State affiliates in Sokoto State. According to the official, while Nigeria remains open to further American strikes if necessary, the current focus is on intelligence sharing rather than direct US military action.
“Going forward, the primary role of the United States will be intelligence support,” the source said, adding that Nigeria would retain full control and leadership of its military operations.
The strikes came after months of diplomatic engagements between Nigerian and US officials. In October, US President Donald Trump described the violence carried out by armed groups in Nigeria as persecution and genocide against Christians, remarks that were firmly rejected by the Nigerian government and disputed by independent analysts.
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Despite reports from unnamed Pentagon officials describing the Christmas Day strikes as a one time operation, Nigerian authorities insist that cooperation with the US will continue through sustained intelligence sharing. The source disclosed that American reconnaissance flights over Nigerian territory have remained active since the strikes.
Nigeria’s security challenges have persisted for more than a decade. The country has battled a jihadist insurgency in the northeast since 2009, while heavily armed bandit groups have expanded their activities across the northwest and parts of the north central region, carrying out mass kidnappings and attacks on rural communities.
The official stressed that the new intelligence arrangement is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to confront these threats independently, with US support limited to surveillance and intelligence analysis.
“This is about enhancing our capabilities. Nigeria will lead, while US intelligence will support our efforts to secure the country more effectively,” the source said.
