The Nigerian government and its military forces revealed on Friday that recent airstrikes on targets associated with the terrorist group ISIS in the country's northwest were conducted in collaboration with the United States.
This announcement follows President Donald Trump's public statement, where he referred to the bombings as a "Christmas gift" for ISIS terrorists, in retaliation for their attacks on Christians in the African nation, as reported by EFE.
Lieutenant General Samaila Uba, spokesperson for Nigeria's Armed Forces, stated in an official release that the operations were executed "in partnership with the United States of America" and aimed at foreign elements linked to ISIS operating in the region.
"The strikes were based on reliable intelligence and meticulous operational planning, intending to weaken the terrorists' capabilities while minimizing collateral damage," Uba explained.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed the existence of a structured security cooperation framework with international partners, including the U.S., to address the ongoing threat of terrorism and violent extremism.
This collaboration involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and operational support, all in accordance with international law and national sovereignty.
"This has resulted in precise airstrikes against terrorist targets in northwest Nigeria," the ministry emphasized.
Nigeria's official confirmation came after Trump announced on Thursday that the U.S. had launched a "powerful and deadly" attack against ISIS camps in the northwest of the African nation.
According to Pentagon sources, the operation included the firing of a dozen Tomahawk missiles from a U.S. Navy ship positioned in the Gulf of Guinea.
The bombings reportedly led to multiple casualties in the state of Sokoto, near the Niger border, although an official death toll has not been disclosed.
In a message on his Truth Social platform, Trump warned that he had previously cautioned the terrorists that, unless they ceased what he described as "the massacre of Christians," "hell would be unleashed."
Since 2009, Nigeria has been grappling with a jihadist insurgency initiated by Boko Haram, which escalated in 2016 with the emergence of its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Both factions aim to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria, where the north is predominantly Muslim, and the south is mainly Christian.
Official data indicates that Boko Haram and ISWAP have been responsible for over 35,000 deaths and have displaced around 2.7 million people, affecting not only Nigeria but also neighboring countries like Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
Last November, Trump had already condemned an alleged massacre of Christians in Nigeria and labeled the country as "of particular concern" for religious freedom violations, accusations that the Nigerian government dismissed, claiming they did not reflect the reality on the ground.
The confirmation of this joint operation represents one of the most direct instances of military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in combating terrorism in West Africa.
Cooperation Between Nigeria and the U.S. in Combating Terrorism
What was the purpose of the recent airstrikes in Nigeria?
The airstrikes aimed to weaken the capabilities of ISIS-linked terrorists in northwest Nigeria while minimizing collateral damage, as part of a joint operation with the United States.
How are Nigeria and the U.S. collaborating to combat terrorism?
The collaboration includes intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and operational support, all adhering to international law and respecting national sovereignty.