The report on Monday said the purpose of the surveillance missions could not be independently confirmed. However, the flights follow threats by U.S. President Donald Trump in November to intervene militarily in Nigeria over what he described as the government’s failure to halt violence against Christian communities. Flight tracking data for December showed that the contractor-operated aircraft typically takes off from Ghana, flies over Nigeria, and returns to Accra. Trump has also recalled the Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, and other career diplomats from their ambassadorial posts. Africa is the region most affected by the recalls, with ambassadors from 13 countries, including Nigeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Uganda, among those removed.

Source: The Guardian December 23, 2025 10:35 UTC