The Federal Government has released a statement on the military action that the United States launched in the North-West on Thursday.
The Tinubu administration confirmed the incident, but situated it in the ongoing security and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the Donald Trump government in the US.
According to a statement early Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigerian authorities remained engaged in “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” to address terrorism and violent extremism in the country.
The statement was signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
It added on the cooperation: “This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.”
The ministry said the collaboration, which led to precision airstrikes on terrorist targets, involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other forms of support in line with international law, respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and shared security commitments.
“Nigeria reiterates that 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 statement said.
It added that terrorist violence, “whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.”
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump had stated on the air strikes on Thursday: “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
He added, “The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.”
Trump warned that further attacks would follow if the killing of Christians continued, saying, “If they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.”
In a separate social media post, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington acted with Nigeria’s cooperation.
“Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation,” Hegseth wrote, adding that the Department of War was “always ready.”
