Nigeria not only provided the intelligence that enabled the recent United States airstrike on terrorist targets within the country but also formally authorised the operation, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar has confirmed.
Speaking on Channels Television, Tuggar explained that the strike was part of ongoing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, stressing that it was conducted with Nigeria’s consent and was not influenced by religious considerations.
“It’s Nigeria that provided the intelligence. I was on the phone yesterday for 19 minutes with Secretary of State Marco Rubio of the United States.
We spoke extensively, and I agreed to consult President Tinubu for formal approval,” Tuggar said.
He added that the joint agreement included a coordinated communication strategy to clarify that the operation was strictly targeted at terrorism, reinforcing Nigeria’s sovereignty and its commitment to protecting innocent lives.
“Statements following the strike would clearly show it is part of the ongoing joint operations between Nigeria and the United States,” Tuggar noted.
The minister highlighted that Nigeria consistently seeks deeper collaboration with international partners in counterterrorism, regardless of the religion of victims or perpetrators.
“Nigeria has remained consistent in its approach, working with all partners committed to fighting terrorism.
This operation was solely aimed at protecting lives, not influenced by religion. It was about saving Nigerians and innocent lives,” he said.
The airstrike, confirmed by US President Donald Trump, targeted suspected ISIS-linked elements in North West Nigeria.
American officials emphasized that the operation was based on shared intelligence and conducted in coordination with Nigeria.
The announcement comes amid heightened debate within Nigeria over the role of foreign powers in domestic security.
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi criticized the strikes, warning that US involvement could polarize the nation and compromise sovereignty.
Tuggar countered these claims, framing the airstrike as a vindication of the Tinubu administration’s proactive stance on national security:
“We have been working closely with the Americans.
This is what we’ve always hoped for: to combat terrorism, to stop the death of innocent Nigerians.
The operation demonstrates our willingness to act decisively in partnership with allies,” he said.
Nigeria continues to face multiple security threats, including insurgency by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province in the North-East, as well as banditry and terrorist attacks in the North-West.
While intelligence sharing and military cooperation with the US have long been in place, direct US strikes on Nigerian soil remain rare and politically sensitive.
