The Federal Government has confirmed that Nigeria shared critical intelligence with the United States ahead of the Christmas Day airstrikes that targeted suspected Islamic State fighters in North West Nigeria, marking a deepening of counterterrorism cooperation between both countries.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar disclosed this during a television interview on Friday, revealing that Nigerian security agencies worked closely with US authorities before the operation and provided detailed intelligence on terrorist locations and movements.
According to Tuggar, the collaboration involved direct high-level engagement, including two phone conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He said the first discussion lasted about 19 minutes, followed by a brief five-minute call shortly before the airstrikes were launched.
The minister stressed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally authorized the operation after consultations, describing the decision as one taken strictly in Nigeria’s national interest and in line with the country’s ongoing fight against terrorism.
Tuggar explained that the Christmas Day strikes form part of a broader and sustained counterterrorism campaign, adding that the initiative could involve other international partners, although he declined to disclose further operational details.
He also dismissed claims that Nigeria’s security actions are driven by religious considerations, stating clearly that terrorists are targeted based on their activities and threats, not on the religion of their victims. According to him, Nigeria remains committed to protecting all citizens, whether Muslim or Christian.
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Meanwhile, the United States Africa Command confirmed that several ISIS fighters were killed during the airstrikes carried out in parts of Sokoto State. US President Donald Trump had earlier stated that the strikes followed warnings issued to the terrorist group to halt violent attacks, particularly those targeting Christian communities.
The confirmation of Nigeria’s intelligence role has sparked fresh debate over foreign military involvement, security cooperation, and the escalating war against insurgent groups across the country’s northern region.
