The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that precision airstrikes were carried out on terrorist targets in parts of North-West Nigeria, including Sokoto State, following ongoing security cooperation with the United States of America.
This comes after United States President, Donald Trump, earlier claimed that he ordered the bombing, citing continued killings by terrorists and bandits in Nigeria, particularly attacks targeting innocent civilians and Christians.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike 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,” Donald Trump said.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian government said the action was part of structured counter-terrorism collaboration with international partners, including the United States, aimed at addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.
According to the ministry, the cooperation involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other forms of support conducted in line with international law, bilateral agreements and mutual respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“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 statement said.
It added that such collaboration has resulted in precision airstrikes on terrorist enclaves in the North-West, targeting groups responsible for widespread violence and insecurity.
The Federal Government reiterated that all counter-terrorism operations are guided by the protection of civilian lives, national unity and the rights and dignity of all Nigerians, regardless of faith or ethnicity.
“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 statement noted.
The government further stated that it remains committed to working with its international partners through established diplomatic and security channels to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their funding and logistics, curb cross-border threats, and strengthen Nigeria’s security and intelligence capabilities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured that it would continue to engage relevant partners and keep Nigerians informed through appropriate official channels.
