The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed its involvement in the recent United States airstrikes carried out in Sokoto State and other parts of northern Nigeria, revealing that Nigerian security agencies supplied the intelligence that led to the operation.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this on Friday during an interview on Channels Television. According to him, the operation was the result of close coordination between Nigerian authorities and the U.S. government as part of ongoing efforts to tackle terrorism and other security threats in the country.
Tuggar said Nigerian officials were in direct communication with the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, shortly before the airstrikes were executed. He noted that discussions took place twice—once about 19 minutes before the strike and again roughly five minutes before the operation commenced.
He emphasized that Nigeria remains committed to collaborating with international partners to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and other forms of violent crime that continue to threaten lives and property across the country.
“The intelligence used for the strike came from Nigeria,” Tuggar stated. “This reflects our determination to work with allies like the United States to eliminate criminal elements and protect innocent Nigerians.”
The foreign affairs minister further explained that the airstrikes were conducted as a joint operation between Nigeria and the United States, with full authorization from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before the missiles were launched.
Tuggar stressed that the military action was not directed at any religious or ethnic group, underscoring Nigeria’s diverse and multi-religious nature. He said the government is keen to ensure that counterterrorism operations are clearly understood as security-driven efforts, not actions motivated by religious or ethnic considerations.
“This is a joint effort aimed at safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians,” he said. “It is not targeted at any religion or group, but at terrorists who threaten national security.”
The confirmation marks a rare public acknowledgment of direct intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in military operations within Nigerian territory, highlighting the growing security partnership between both countries.
