🔗 Share this article The Nigerian Government Confirms It Furnished Key Information for Christmas Day Airstrikes as US Official Warns of More Operations The Nigerian government has announced that it played a role in the US airstrikes carried out on Christmas Day, as stated by the nation's foreign minister on Friday. Former President Donald Trump had announced the aerial attacks against Islamic State militants in north-west Nigeria after spending weeks decrying the group for attacking Christian communities. Detailed Consultations Preceded the Military Action Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, explained that he had engaged in "lengthy" discussions with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio both before and after the airstrike. He further added that Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, had granted authorization for the military action. Tuggar left the door open for additional operations, characterizing them as an "ongoing process" that would also involve other countries. "The strikes had no connection to a specific faith," Tuggar insisted in an interview with the BBC. "It is about targeting militants who have been killing Nigerians." US Warns of More Strikes in Nigeria Shortly following the Christmas Day operation, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of additional military actions against ISIS locations in north-western Nigeria. Hegseth characterized the action as part of a mission to halt the killing of Christians, a position reiterated by the former president. In a social media post, Hegseth stated, "The president was clear... the murder of innocent Christians in Nigeria must cease. More to come..." Supporters' Response to the Military Action The holiday military operation were met with praise by certain political allies of the ex-leader, who had been calling for a forceful response to the attacks against Christians. "I can’t think of a better way to observe the holiday than by responding to the killings of Christians," commented one well-known activist on social media. Key Points from the Announcement Cooperation: Nigeria supplied crucial information for the American operation. High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the strikes. Ongoing Process: The campaign is described as an "ongoing process" with potential for future actions. Secular Objective: Nigerian officials maintain the strikes are solely about counter-terrorism, not religious affiliation. US Commitment: A top American defense leader has indicated additional strikes are on the horizon. This development highlights the evolving military partnership between Nigeria and the United States in addressing terrorist threats in the Sahel area.
The Nigerian government has announced that it played a role in the US airstrikes carried out on Christmas Day, as stated by the nation's foreign minister on Friday. Former President Donald Trump had announced the aerial attacks against Islamic State militants in north-west Nigeria after spending weeks decrying the group for attacking Christian communities. Detailed Consultations Preceded the Military Action Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, explained that he had engaged in "lengthy" discussions with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio both before and after the airstrike. He further added that Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, had granted authorization for the military action. Tuggar left the door open for additional operations, characterizing them as an "ongoing process" that would also involve other countries. "The strikes had no connection to a specific faith," Tuggar insisted in an interview with the BBC. "It is about targeting militants who have been killing Nigerians." US Warns of More Strikes in Nigeria Shortly following the Christmas Day operation, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of additional military actions against ISIS locations in north-western Nigeria. Hegseth characterized the action as part of a mission to halt the killing of Christians, a position reiterated by the former president. In a social media post, Hegseth stated, "The president was clear... the murder of innocent Christians in Nigeria must cease. More to come..." Supporters' Response to the Military Action The holiday military operation were met with praise by certain political allies of the ex-leader, who had been calling for a forceful response to the attacks against Christians. "I can’t think of a better way to observe the holiday than by responding to the killings of Christians," commented one well-known activist on social media. Key Points from the Announcement Cooperation: Nigeria supplied crucial information for the American operation. High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the strikes. Ongoing Process: The campaign is described as an "ongoing process" with potential for future actions. Secular Objective: Nigerian officials maintain the strikes are solely about counter-terrorism, not religious affiliation. US Commitment: A top American defense leader has indicated additional strikes are on the horizon. This development highlights the evolving military partnership between Nigeria and the United States in addressing terrorist threats in the Sahel area.