A dramatic new claim has ignited fresh tension in Nigeria’s security landscape after a Sahel-focused terrorism tracker, Brant Philip, alleged that the United States has now crossed into Nigerian airspace to secretly monitor ISWAP strongholds under a covert security pact with Abuja.

Philip announced that on Saturday a manned U.S. ISR aircraft swept over ISWAP-controlled territory in southwestern Lake Chad, Borno State—an operation he said began thousands of miles away in Accra, Ghana.

“Confirming my earlier reports, a manned U.S. ISR aircraft was conducting reconnaissance earlier today over ISWAP territory,” he posted on X, sparking intense debate and unease online.

Philip had earlier warned that the U.S. Department of War was already carrying out reconnaissance missions in Nigeria without any public disclosure by the Nigerian government—hinting at a sealed-off agreement negotiated “behind closed doors.”

According to him, a confidential source revealed that Washington may soon be cleared to launch drone strikes on Nigerian soil, though only using unmanned aircraft. He added that the U.S. is preparing to plug crucial intelligence gaps for Nigerian forces and might even operate from Kainji Air Base in Niger State.

By Sunday afternoon, Philip was back with another update: for the third straight day, the same aircraft had returned, circling relentlessly over ISWAP’s “Mantiqah Krinwa,” a notorious zone on the fringes of Lake Chad.

The revelations drew swift backlash. Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad accused Philip of carelessly broadcasting sensitive military intelligence that could empower ISWAP fighters.

These allegations come on the heels of a tense meeting in Washington, where U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, held high-level talks on countering jihadist groups and addressing attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria.

Despite the escalating controversy, both the Nigerian and U.S. governments have maintained complete silence—neither confirming nor denying that American military operations are unfolding in Nigerian skies.

Meanwhile, the country continues to confront a wave of kidnappings, terrorist attacks, and banditry, leaving millions desperate for answers as foreign involvement appears to deepen in the shadows.