🔗 Share this article Nigeria Discloses It Provided Intelligence for Recent Military Strikes as Defense Secretary Predicts of Additional Operations Nigeria's government has confirmed that it played a role in the American military operation conducted on December 25, as stated by the country's foreign minister on Friday. Former President Donald Trump previously declared the aerial attacks against Islamic State fighters in the northwestern region of Nigeria after spending weeks decrying the organization for targeting Christians. Extensive Discussions Preceded the Military Action Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, explained that he had held "extensive" discussions with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio immediately before and after the airstrike. He further added that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had granted authorization for the military action. Tuggar did not rule out further strikes, describing them as an "continuous effort" that would also involve other countries. "This operation had nothing to do with a specific faith," Tuggar emphasized in an interview with the BBC. "The objective is about targeting militants who have been killing Nigerians." US Warns of Further Strikes in Nigeria Hours after the Christmas Day operation, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cautioned of additional military actions against ISIS locations in north-western Nigeria. Hegseth described the strikes as part of a mission to stop the killing of Christians, a stance echoed by the ex-commander in chief. In a public statement, Hegseth stated, "He was explicit... the murder of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end. More to come..." Political Reaction to the Military Action The holiday military operation were hailed by some supporters of the ex-leader, who had been calling for a strong military reaction to the attacks against Christians. "There is no a better way to celebrate Christmas than by avenging the death of Christians," commented one prominent political figure on social media. Main Takeaways from the Revelations Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied key intelligence for the American airstrikes. High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the military action. Continuous Effort: The operation is viewed as an "continuing mission" with potential for more strikes. Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials maintain the targeting are focused on combating militants, not religion. US Commitment: A top American official has signaled additional military actions are likely. The situation underscores the evolving military partnership between Nigeria and the US in addressing militant groups in the Sahel area.
Nigeria's government has confirmed that it played a role in the American military operation conducted on December 25, as stated by the country's foreign minister on Friday. Former President Donald Trump previously declared the aerial attacks against Islamic State fighters in the northwestern region of Nigeria after spending weeks decrying the organization for targeting Christians. Extensive Discussions Preceded the Military Action Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, explained that he had held "extensive" discussions with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio immediately before and after the airstrike. He further added that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had granted authorization for the military action. Tuggar did not rule out further strikes, describing them as an "continuous effort" that would also involve other countries. "This operation had nothing to do with a specific faith," Tuggar emphasized in an interview with the BBC. "The objective is about targeting militants who have been killing Nigerians." US Warns of Further Strikes in Nigeria Hours after the Christmas Day operation, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cautioned of additional military actions against ISIS locations in north-western Nigeria. Hegseth described the strikes as part of a mission to stop the killing of Christians, a stance echoed by the ex-commander in chief. In a public statement, Hegseth stated, "He was explicit... the murder of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end. More to come..." Political Reaction to the Military Action The holiday military operation were hailed by some supporters of the ex-leader, who had been calling for a strong military reaction to the attacks against Christians. "There is no a better way to celebrate Christmas than by avenging the death of Christians," commented one prominent political figure on social media. Main Takeaways from the Revelations Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied key intelligence for the American airstrikes. High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the military action. Continuous Effort: The operation is viewed as an "continuing mission" with potential for more strikes. Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials maintain the targeting are focused on combating militants, not religion. US Commitment: A top American official has signaled additional military actions are likely. The situation underscores the evolving military partnership between Nigeria and the US in addressing militant groups in the Sahel area.