The Federal Government has confirmed that the United States carried out targeted airstrikes on terrorist enclaves in Nigeria’s Northwest, marking a significant escalation in joint counterterrorism operations between Abuja and Washington.
The confirmation came in a statement issued Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa. According to the ministry, the strikes were the outcome of sustained intelligence sharing and coordinated security planning between Nigeria and its international partners, particularly the United States.
The government said the operation was based on actionable intelligence and executed with precision, stressing that the strikes were aimed solely at terrorist elements operating in the region. It added that the collaboration reflects ongoing mutual security agreements designed to curb terrorism and violent extremism across Nigeria and the wider Sahel.
In addressing concerns over national sovereignty, the ministry stated that all counterterrorism actions were conducted with Nigeria’s full knowledge and cooperation, in line with international law. It emphasized that the protection of civilians, national unity and the rights of all Nigerians, regardless of faith or ethnicity, remain central to the country’s security strategy.
The statement also condemned attacks carried out by terrorist groups against any segment of the population, whether Christian, Muslim or otherwise, describing such violence as a direct threat to Nigeria’s stability and global security.
The confirmation followed earlier remarks by US President Donald Trump, who publicly claimed that American forces had struck Islamic State-linked fighters in Northwestern Nigeria. Trump said he personally authorized the operation and warned that further action could follow if terrorist attacks continued.
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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later reinforced the claim, stating that the airstrikes were conducted with the consent and active support of the Nigerian government, dispelling speculation of a unilateral action.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to intensify cooperation with global partners to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and confront cross-border security threats that have fueled instability in several regions.
The disclosure comes amid heightened security concerns nationwide, following a deadly bombing at a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, which claimed several lives and left many injured. Officials did not directly link the Northwest airstrikes to the Maiduguri attack but noted that Nigeria’s security forces remain on high alert.
The Federal Government assured citizens that it would continue to keep the public informed through official channels as operations against terrorist groups evolve.
