U.S. Resumes Surveillance Over Sambisa Forest After Sokoto Airstrikes
The United States has resumed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) flights over Nigeria’s Sambisa Forest, days after conducting airstrikes on suspected Islamic State (IS) positions in Sokoto State. The renewed aerial operations signal sustained counter-terrorism cooperation between Washington and Abuja.
According to flight-tracking data cited by security analysts, a U.S. ISR aircraft was observed conducting operations over parts of Borno State, covering areas long associated with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) activities. The surveillance reportedly resumed after a brief pause following the Sokoto airstrikes.
The development follows recent air operations targeting militant camps in the Bauni forest area of Sokoto State, aimed at disrupting extremist networks and preventing cross-border attacks. Both Nigerian and U.S. authorities have described the strikes as part of a broader strategy to degrade terrorist capabilities in the region.
U.S. surveillance missions over Nigeria are understood to support intelligence gathering, threat monitoring and operational planning in collaboration with Nigerian security forces. Analysts say the resumption of flights over Sambisa Forest underscores heightened efforts to contain insurgent movements and reinforce regional security amid evolving extremist threats in West Africa.
