US strikes terrorist sites in North West Nigeria
●FG confirms situation report··
Just as US President Donald Trump announced, Friday, 26 December, that the US military carried out precision air strikes against ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria’s north west, the Federal Government, same Friday confirmed that the strikes indeed took place.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, in a press release issued Friday morning, said that the action followed ongoing intelligence collaboration and strategic coordination with Nigeria’s partners.
It explained that the collaboration follows international practice and bilateral understandings, including intelligence sharing and strategic coordination, while respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and international law.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria confirms 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,” the release said.
It went on, “In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual 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,” the statement said.
It added, “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 Ministry said.
The Ministry further noted that Nigeria will continue to work with partners to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their funding and logistics, and prevent cross border threats, while strengthening national security and intelligence capacity.
The confirmation comes as the United States pledged to send additional support to northern states to bolster surveillance, security operations and counter-terror efforts after the recent military action.
Following that, President Donald Trump on Christmas night ordered United States airstrikes against ISIS militants operating in North West Nigeria, accusing the group of carrying out deadly attacks against Christians.
In his post on Truth Social late Thursday, Trump wrote, “Tonight, at my direction as Commander-in-Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strikes against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries!
“I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.
“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.
“Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper.
“May God bless our military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
In a separate post on X, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, said he was “grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation.”
He wrote, “The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas.”
This turn of events must be irksome to jihadists in high places in Nigeria and their foreign collaborators who have always deflected the killing of Christians as herders-farmer clashes.
