🔗 Share this article Nigeria Confirms It Provided Intelligence for Recent Military Strikes as US Official Predicts of Additional Operations The Nigerian foreign ministry has confirmed that it played a role in the American military operation carried out on December 25, according to the country's foreign minister on Friday. Ex-President Donald Trump previously declared the strikes against Islamic State militants in north-west Nigeria after spending weeks criticizing the organization for attacking Christian communities. Extensive Consultations Preceded the Military Action Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, explained that he had held "lengthy" phone conversations with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio both prior to and following the attack. He further added that Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, had granted authorization for the military action. Tuggar left the door open for further strikes, describing them as an "continuous effort" that would potentially include international partners. "This operation had nothing to do with a particular religion," Tuggar emphasized in an discussion with the BBC. "It is about attacking terrorists who have been killing Nigerians." US Warns of More Actions in Nigeria Shortly following the Christmas Day operation, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cautioned of additional military actions against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria. Hegseth described the strikes as part of a mission to stop the targeting of Christian individuals, a stance echoed by the former president. In a public statement, Hegseth stated, "The president was clear... the killing of Christian civilians in Nigeria must end. More to come..." Supporters' Response to the Airstrikes The Christmas Day strikes were hailed by certain supporters of the ex-leader, who had been calling for a forceful response to the attacks against Christians. "There is no a more fitting manner to celebrate Christmas than by avenging the death of Christians," posted one well-known activist on social media. Main Takeaways from the Revelations Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied crucial information for the US-led airstrikes. Presidential Authorization: President Bola Tinubu gave the green light for the strikes. Ongoing Process: The operation is viewed as an "continuing mission" with the possibility of future actions. Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the strikes are solely about combating militants, not religion. American Stance: A top American defense leader has signaled additional military actions are on the horizon. This development highlights the complex security cooperation between Nigeria and the US in combating militant groups in the Sahel area.
The Nigerian foreign ministry has confirmed that it played a role in the American military operation carried out on December 25, according to the country's foreign minister on Friday. Ex-President Donald Trump previously declared the strikes against Islamic State militants in north-west Nigeria after spending weeks criticizing the organization for attacking Christian communities. Extensive Consultations Preceded the Military Action Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, explained that he had held "lengthy" phone conversations with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio both prior to and following the attack. He further added that Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, had granted authorization for the military action. Tuggar left the door open for further strikes, describing them as an "continuous effort" that would potentially include international partners. "This operation had nothing to do with a particular religion," Tuggar emphasized in an discussion with the BBC. "It is about attacking terrorists who have been killing Nigerians." US Warns of More Actions in Nigeria Shortly following the Christmas Day operation, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cautioned of additional military actions against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria. Hegseth described the strikes as part of a mission to stop the targeting of Christian individuals, a stance echoed by the former president. In a public statement, Hegseth stated, "The president was clear... the killing of Christian civilians in Nigeria must end. More to come..." Supporters' Response to the Airstrikes The Christmas Day strikes were hailed by certain supporters of the ex-leader, who had been calling for a forceful response to the attacks against Christians. "There is no a more fitting manner to celebrate Christmas than by avenging the death of Christians," posted one well-known activist on social media. Main Takeaways from the Revelations Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied crucial information for the US-led airstrikes. Presidential Authorization: President Bola Tinubu gave the green light for the strikes. Ongoing Process: The operation is viewed as an "continuing mission" with the possibility of future actions. Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the strikes are solely about combating militants, not religion. American Stance: A top American defense leader has signaled additional military actions are on the horizon. This development highlights the complex security cooperation between Nigeria and the US in combating militant groups in the Sahel area.