By Joke Kujenya
SECURITY COOPERATION between Nigeria and the United States of America partnership has resulted in air strikes against terrorist targets in the North-West, as Nigeria’s authorities confirm continued joint action to address terrorism and violent extremism.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria said Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the USA, to confront what it described as the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.
The ministry, in a signed statement by spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotibi, stated that this engagement has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North-West.
He also added on behalf of the ministry that the cooperation follows established international practice and bilateral understandings and includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support.
The ministry added that these measures are consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security.
Government also said all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity.
The ministry said terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.
The FG also said it continues to work closely with its international partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross border threats adding that these efforts also aim to strengthen Nigeria’s own security institutions and intelligence capabilities.
It said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to engage relevant partners and keep the public informed through appropriate official channels.
Speaking on the development, US President Donald Trump, said the US had launched what he described as a powerful and deadly strike against the Islamic State group in north-western Nigeria.
Trump said the US military executed numerous perfect strikes and accused the group of targeting and viciously killing primarily innocent Christians.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump referred to the group as terrorist scum and said that under his leadership the US would not allow what he called radical Islamic terrorism to prosper saying he had previously warned the group that if the killing of Christians did not stop there would be consequences.
Trump said the Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, which he said only the US was capable of carrying out and added that the attack reached levels not seen for many years and even centuries.
The US leader also said the strikes took place on Christmas Day and extended greetings to the US and Nigeria military as he posted a message wishing a Merry Christmas, adding a reference to what he described as dead terrorists.
US Africa Command later reported that the attack was carried out in coordination with Nigeria in Sokoto state. The command said the operation took place on Thursday and involved cooperation with Nigerian authorities.
Also speaking, Nigerian Foreign Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, confirmed to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that the action was a joint operation targeting terrorists affirming the operation had nothing to do with a particular religion.
Tuggar also said further strikes were not ruled out and said any future action would depend on decisions to be taken by the leadership of the two countries.
US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, also commented on the operation, saying he was grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation. He posted the message on X and added a Christmas greeting.
The US Department of Defense later posted an unclassified short video that appeared to show a missile being launched from a military vessel.
Also, the Nigerian foreign ministry repeated in a statement that authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the US, to address terrorism and violent extremism saying this engagement led to precision hits on terrorist targets by air strikes in the North-West.
In his comments, President Bola Tinubu reiterated that Nigeria remains committed to religious tolerance and said security challenges in the country affect people across faiths and regions.
An adviser to the president, Daniel Bwala, also told the BBC that any military action against jihadist groups should be carried out together with Nigeria.
Bwala said Nigeria would welcome US help in tackling Islamist insurgents while noting that the country is sovereign.
He said the jihadists were not targeting members of a particular religion and said they had killed people from all faiths or none.
Trump had previously declared Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern because of what he described as an existential threat to its Christian population.
Following that announcement, Tinubu said his government was committed to working with the US and the international community to protect communities of all faiths.
The Nigerian government has said terrorist violence directed at any community is unacceptable and said its counter terrorism approach prioritises civilian protection and national unity adding that it would continue working with partners to weaken terrorist networks and prevent cross border threats.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it will continue to engage relevant partners and keep the public informed through official channels as security cooperation continues.
