The United States has shifted its counter-terrorism focus to Nigeria’s Northeast, commencing intelligence and surveillance flights over the vast Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
This development comes days after U.S. airstrikes targeted ISIS terrorists in Sokoto State on Christmas Day.
Security analyst Brant Philip shared flight tracking data on his X account showing a Gulfstream V aircraft conducting operations over Borno, indicating renewed surveillance aimed at Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) strongholds.
ISWAP, an ISIS affiliate, has long used the Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad basin as operational hubs for attacks in the Northeast.
The move signals an expansion of U.S.–Nigeria security collaboration beyond the Northwest, as international efforts intensify to dismantle terror networks across multiple regions.
Disclaimer:
This report is based on flight tracking data and analysis shared by a security analyst. Official confirmation from U.S. or Nigerian authorities has not been issued at this time.
© 2025 CDA News Nigeria. All rights reserved.
