The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that it worked in collaboration with the United States following recent US military airstrikes on terrorist locations in the country’s North West region.
The confirmation was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
The statement was titled “Nigeria–United States Security Cooperation and Intelligence Collaboration Hits at Terrorist Targets in Nigeria.”
The development points to renewed security collaboration between Nigeria and its international partners, especially amid ongoing discussions among analysts on whether foreign militaries can access Nigerian airspace without official consent.
Earlier, United States President Donald Trump announced that he had authorised what he described as a “powerful and deadly strike” on an ISIS terrorist base located in North West Nigeria.
In its response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that “Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.”
According to the statement, the collaboration has produced “precision airstrikes against terrorist targets in the North West.”
The Ministry explained that the engagement aligns with recognised international standards and existing bilateral agreements. It added that the partnership covers intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other forms of assistance consistent with international law, respect for sovereignty and shared commitments to regional and global security.
“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.
“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 statement partly read.
The Federal Government stressed that it would continue working closely with its partners through established diplomatic and security frameworks to dismantle terrorist networks, cut off their funding and logistics, and prevent cross-border security threats.
The Ministry further noted that Nigeria is taking steps to reinforce its own security agencies and intelligence-gathering capacity.
It also assured the public that engagement with relevant partners would continue and that updates would be communicated through official channels.
The U.S. Department of War also confirmed Nigeria’s cooperation in the operation, noting that the action was part of broader efforts to combat terrorism globally.
“Grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation,” the department stated.
What you should know
The U.S. airstrikes were announced by President Trump via his Truth Social account, where he disclosed that the U.S. Department of War carried out “numerous perfect strikes” against extremist targets.
The announcement was made shortly after midnight on Boxing Day, a time when many Nigerians were winding down after Christmas festivities.
The development followed a terrorist bombing earlier that day at a mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, which triggered renewed calls for heightened vigilance by the Nigerian Army.
The latest operation also comes after repeated warnings by President Trump over what he described as religiously motivated violence in Nigeria.
In November, Trump had publicly threatened military action and instructed the U.S. Department of Defense to prepare for possible intervention in Nigeria.
He also accused the Nigerian government of failing to stop what he termed the “mass slaughter” of Christians, warning that U.S. aid and assistance could be withdrawn if urgent action was not taken.
In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected Trump’s classification of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” insisting that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees religious freedom and that the government is committed to protecting citizens of all faiths.
President Tinubu subsequently declared a national security emergency and ordered a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s security architecture, resulting in the replacement of service chiefs and the appointment of a new Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa.
