Nigeria’s foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that the country had shared actionable intelligence with the United States ahead of the airstrikes. He confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally authorised the operation after consultations with US officials.
Tuggar said he held “extensive” telephone discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio both before and after the strikes, underlining close diplomatic coordination between the two countries.
Operation Not Linked to Religion, Says Abuja
Addressing concerns over the timing of the strikes on Christmas Day, Tuggar rejected claims that the operation was religiously motivated. He said the action was purely targeted at terrorist groups responsible for killing Nigerian civilians.
“This has nothing to do with a particular religion or a specific day. It is about attacking terrorists who have been killing Nigerians,” Tuggar said in an interview.
US Signals More Strikes Could Follow
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that additional strikes against ISIS targets in Nigeria could be carried out if security threats continue. He said the US remains prepared to act swiftly against militant groups operating in the region.
Hegseth stated that Washington views the strikes as part of an ongoing effort to disrupt extremist networks and prevent further violence.
Trump Administration Frames Action as Protection Effort
Former US President Donald Trump, who announced the strikes, has repeatedly accused ISIS-linked groups in Nigeria of targeting Christian communities. His supporters welcomed the military action, framing it as a strong response to extremist violence.
However, Nigerian officials have maintained that the operation was based on security assessments rather than religious considerations.
Regional Security and Diplomatic Implications
Security analysts note that the confirmation of Nigerian intelligence support indicates a deeper level of cooperation between Abuja and Washington. The development also raises questions about the role of other regional partners in future counterterrorism operations.
Tuggar suggested that further international collaboration could be possible, describing counterterrorism efforts as an “ongoing process” rather than a one-time action.
Rising Focus on Counterterrorism in Africa
The airstrikes come amid growing global concern over the spread of extremist groups across parts of Africa. Nigeria has long battled insurgent violence, particularly in its northern regions, with varying degrees of international assistance.