🔗 Share this article Nigeria Confirms It Supplied Key Information for US-Led Military Strikes as US Official Warns of Additional Attacks Nigeria's foreign ministry has confirmed that it played a role in the US airstrikes carried out on December 25, as stated by the country's foreign minister this week. Ex-President Donald Trump had announced the aerial attacks against Islamic State fighters in north-west Nigeria after spending weeks decrying the organization for attacking Christian communities. Extensive Consultations Preceded the Military Action Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, indicated that he had held "lengthy" phone conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio both before and after the airstrike. He also noted that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had given the "go-ahead" for the military action. Tuggar did not rule out additional operations, describing them as an "ongoing process" that would also involve international partners. "This operation had no connection to a particular religion," Tuggar emphasized in an interview with the BBC. "It is to do with targeting militants who have been murdering Nigerian citizens." American Official Predicts of More Strikes in Nigeria Hours after the initial strikes, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of more strikes against ISIS locations in the region. Hegseth characterized the action as part of efforts to stop the killing of Christians, a stance reiterated by the ex-commander in chief. In a public statement, Hegseth wrote, "He was explicit... the killing of Christian civilians in Nigeria must end. More to come..." Political Reaction to the Military Action The Christmas Day strikes were met with praise by certain supporters of the ex-leader, who had been calling for a strong military reaction to the attacks against Christians. "There is no a better way to observe the holiday than by responding to the killings of Christians," commented one well-known activist on social media. Key Points from the Revelations Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied key intelligence for the US-led operation. Presidential Authorization: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the military action. Ongoing Process: The operation is viewed as an "continuing mission" with the possibility of future actions. Secular Objective: Nigerian officials strongly insist the targeting are focused on counter-terrorism, not religious affiliation. American Stance: A top American official has signaled additional military actions are likely. The situation highlights the complex security cooperation between the West African nation and the US in combating militant groups in the region.
Nigeria's foreign ministry has confirmed that it played a role in the US airstrikes carried out on December 25, as stated by the country's foreign minister this week. Ex-President Donald Trump had announced the aerial attacks against Islamic State fighters in north-west Nigeria after spending weeks decrying the organization for attacking Christian communities. Extensive Consultations Preceded the Military Action Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, indicated that he had held "lengthy" phone conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio both before and after the airstrike. He also noted that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had given the "go-ahead" for the military action. Tuggar did not rule out additional operations, describing them as an "ongoing process" that would also involve international partners. "This operation had no connection to a particular religion," Tuggar emphasized in an interview with the BBC. "It is to do with targeting militants who have been murdering Nigerian citizens." American Official Predicts of More Strikes in Nigeria Hours after the initial strikes, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of more strikes against ISIS locations in the region. Hegseth characterized the action as part of efforts to stop the killing of Christians, a stance reiterated by the ex-commander in chief. In a public statement, Hegseth wrote, "He was explicit... the killing of Christian civilians in Nigeria must end. More to come..." Political Reaction to the Military Action The Christmas Day strikes were met with praise by certain supporters of the ex-leader, who had been calling for a strong military reaction to the attacks against Christians. "There is no a better way to observe the holiday than by responding to the killings of Christians," commented one well-known activist on social media. Key Points from the Revelations Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied key intelligence for the US-led operation. Presidential Authorization: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the military action. Ongoing Process: The operation is viewed as an "continuing mission" with the possibility of future actions. Secular Objective: Nigerian officials strongly insist the targeting are focused on counter-terrorism, not religious affiliation. American Stance: A top American official has signaled additional military actions are likely. The situation highlights the complex security cooperation between the West African nation and the US in combating militant groups in the region.