The United States has resumed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations over Nigeria’s Sambisa Forest following recent airstrikes on Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Sokoto State.

A Sahel-focused terrorism tracker, Mr Brant Philip, disclosed that flight tracking data indicated renewed aerial surveillance over Borno State, particularly the Sambisa axis, a known stronghold of insurgent groups.

According to the data, the aircraft involved is a Gulfstream V, a long-range business jet commonly modified for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Philip explained that Saturday’s operations were directed at the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the ISIS affiliate operating mainly in Nigeria’s North-East and the Lake Chad Basin.

“The United States resumed ISR operations today on ISWAP in the Sambisa Forest, Borno State, in northeast Nigeria, after a pause of one day following the strikes in Sokoto State,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Further analysis of flight tracking records showed that the U.S. began intelligence operations in Nigeria on Nov. 24, after the aircraft departed from Ghana, which serves as a major hub for American military logistics in Africa.

Since the commencement of the mission, the aircraft has reportedly flown over Nigerian territory almost daily.

The flight data also linked the aircraft operator to Tenax Aerospace, a special mission aircraft provider known to work closely with the U.S. military.

At the onset of the surveillance operations, a former U.S. official had stated that the missions included efforts to track an American pilot kidnapped in neighbouring Niger Republic, as well as the gathering of intelligence on militant groups operating within Nigeria.

The intelligence flights reportedly began shortly after Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, met with the U.S. Defence Secretary, Mr Pete Hegseth, in Washington, following comments by President Donald Trump on possible U.S. military intervention.

After the meeting, Hegseth said the U.S. Department of Defence would work “aggressively” with Nigeria to end what he described as the “persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists”.

Thursday night’s airstrikes were described as the first practical step following those statements, with Trump indicating that further strikes could follow.

Before the Christmas Day operation, the United States had conducted similar missions over Sokoto, Yobe and parts of the Lake Chad region.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, later confirmed in an interview with the BBC that the airstrikes were a joint Nigeria–United States operation, adding that additional actions could still be taken.

Security analysts say the renewed surveillance activities suggest the likelihood of fresh airstrikes, possibly concentrated in the North-East.

Observers note that the increased U.S. aerial presence over Borno State underscores heightened international involvement in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, particularly against ISWAP.

They, however, caution that while enhanced Nigeria–U.S. cooperation could weaken insurgent groups, it may also heighten regional tensions if not carefully managed.