“U.S CONDUCTING SECRET OPERATIONS IN NIGERIA?” — SECURITY EXPERT CLAIMS MANNED ISR FLIGHTS OVER BORNO AS PART OF ALLEGED US–NIGERIA COUNTER-TERROR DEAL; NIGERIAN PRESIDENCY SILENT AS DEBATE INTENSIFIES

A security expert, tracker, and jihadi analyst with special focus on the Sahel, Brant Philip, has stirred nationwide debate after claiming that the United States has begun conducting covert operations inside Nigeria as part of an undisclosed agreement with the Nigerian government to tackle escalating terrorism across the country.

Philip, who made the claims on Saturday, stated that a United States aircraft carried out an operation in Borno State, explaining that the aircraft reportedly took off from Accra, Ghana.

“Confirming my earlier reports, a manned US ISR aircraft was conducting reconnaissance earlier today over ISWAP territory in southwestern Lake Chad, Borno State, northeast Nigeria, it originally took off from Accra, Ghana and is currently on its way back,” he wrote on X.

His Saturday revelation followed an earlier post on Thursday in which he alleged that the U.S. had already begun reconnaissance missions over Nigeria without any public disclosure from Abuja.

“The US Department of War is already conducting reconnaissance operations in western Nigeria from their base in Ghana, without (any public) permission announced by the Nigerian government, possible agreements being signed behind closed doors,” he said.

Philip further intensified the debate by claiming that the alleged agreement could permit unmanned U.S. aircraft to conduct targeted strikes inside Nigeria.

“According to a private source familiar with the military deal between the US and Nigeria, the US will be allowed to conduct UAV airstrikes against terrorist targets inside Nigeria, the scope only include unmanned aircrafts (UAVs), not fighter jets or bombers.

“The American counterpart will mainly fill the ISR gaps of the Nigerian army with manned and/or unmanned aircrafts, and will likely (still unconfirmed) use the Kainji Air Base in Niger State as a launchpad.”

On Sunday afternoon, he doubled down on his claims, reporting yet another ISR flight over Borno.

“The US Air Force ISR aircraft returned for the third day in a row to spy over ISWAP’s ‘Mantiqah Krinwa’ in Borno state on the fringes of Lake Chad, northeast Nigeria, the aircraft is currently circling over the area and took off from Accra, Ghana, as usual,” he wrote.

His posts immediately triggered reactions, including sharp criticism from former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, who accused him of revealing sensitive security information to terrorists.

“Stop exposing this vital information to ISWAP please,” Ahmad replied.

The development comes against a backdrop of strained diplomatic exchanges between Nigeria and the United States. After former U.S. President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged genocide against Christians, the Nigerian government rejected the label and later sent a high-powered delegation to Washington.

According to a publication on the United States’ war website, the meeting was led by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and hosted at the Pentagon.

“On Nov. 20, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth welcomed a delegation of security leaders from the Federal Republic of Nigeria led by their National Security Advisor, Mr. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to the Pentagon,” the statement said.

“Both leaders discussed ways to make tangible progress on stopping violence against Christians in Nigeria and combatting West African jihadist terrorist groups.”

“Secretary Hegseth emphasized the need for Nigeria to demonstrate commitment and take both urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians and conveyed the Department’s desire to work by, with, and through Nigeria to deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States,” it added.

The Nigerian delegation comprised top security and government officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu; Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Chief of Defence Staff Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. E.A.P. Undiendeye; and other key diplomats and advisers.

Before the meeting, Trump had issued a controversial threat, warning that the U.S. might launch military operations in Nigeria to eliminate what he described as “Islamic terrorists” — a statement strongly rejected by the Nigerian presidency and widely condemned at home.

As of the time of filing this report, no official confirmation or denial has been issued by either the Nigerian government or the United States regarding the alleged ISR operations or any military pact.

Meanwhile, kidnapping for ransom, banditry, terrorism, and daily killings continue to plague Nigeria, heightening public anxiety and intensifying calls for transparency o n international military collaborations.