The Nigerian Government Confirms It Furnished Key Information for US-Led Military Strikes as US Official Predicts of More Operations

Nigeria's government has announced that it played a role in the American military operation conducted on December 25, as stated by the nation's foreign minister on Friday.

Ex-President Donald Trump previously declared the strikes targeting ISIS militants in north-west Nigeria after a period of decrying the organization for targeting Christian communities.

Extensive Discussions Came Before the Military Action

Nigeria's foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, explained that he had engaged in "lengthy" discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio both prior to and following the attack.

He further added that Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, had given the "go-ahead" for the military action. Tuggar did not rule out additional operations, characterizing them as an "continuous effort" that would potentially include other countries.

"The strikes had no connection to a specific faith," Tuggar insisted in an discussion with the BBC. "It is to do with targeting militants who have been murdering Nigerian citizens."

US Warns of More Actions in Nigeria

Shortly following the initial strikes, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth warned of more strikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria.

Hegseth described the strikes as part of a mission to stop the killing of Christians, a stance reiterated by the former president. In a social media post, Hegseth stated, "He was clear... the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria must cease. More to come..."

Supporters' Response to the Airstrikes

The Christmas Day strikes were met with praise by some political allies of the ex-leader, who had been agitating for a strong military reaction 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 prominent activist on a digital platform.

Key Points from the Announcement

• Cooperation: Nigeria supplied key intelligence for the American operation.
• Presidential Authorization: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the strikes.
• Ongoing Process: The campaign is described as an "ongoing process" with the possibility of more strikes.
• Secular Objective: Nigerian officials strongly insist the strikes are focused on counter-terrorism, not religious affiliation.
• US Commitment: A top American official has signaled additional strikes are likely.

This development highlights the complex military partnership between the West African nation and the United States in combating terrorist threats in the Sahel area.