The Federal Government has confirmed that the United States carried out airstrikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North West, saying the operation was a product of ongoing intelligence sharing and security cooperation between both countries.
In a statement released on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria remains engaged in “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” as part of efforts to curb terrorism and violent extremism.
The statement, signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed that the collaboration - which includes intelligence exchange and strategic coordination - resulted in “precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by airstrikes in the North West.”
According to the ministry, all aspects of the cooperation were conducted in line with international law, respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and shared commitments to regional and global security.
“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity,” the statement said.
It added that terrorist violence, “whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.”
The confirmation followed public comments by United States President Donald Trump, who on Thursday announced that US forces had carried out what he described as “powerful and deadly” strikes against Islamic State-linked fighters in northwestern Nigeria.
In a Christmas message posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed the militants had been “viciously killing, primarily innocent Christians,” and said the operation was authorised directly by him as Commander-in-Chief.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in northwest Nigeria,” Trump wrote, adding that the strikes were executed by the US Department of War and involved “numerous perfect strikes.”
Trump warned that further military action would follow if the killings continued, declaring that there would be “hell to pay” should attacks persist.
In a separate social media post, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were carried out with Nigeria’s cooperation.
“Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation,” Hegseth wrote, adding that the Department of War was “always ready.”
While confirming that airstrikes occurred in parts of northern Nigeria, the Federal Government did not provide details on the specific locations targeted, the casualties involved or the extent of Nigeria’s operational role.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria would continue to work with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats.
The airstrikes came amid heightened security concerns nationwide. A day earlier, a bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killed five people and injured dozens, with authorities suspecting a suicide bombing linked to terrorist activity.
Nigeria has for years battled insurgency, banditry and extremist violence, particularly in the North East and North West. The government has consistently maintained that international cooperation remains critical to addressing the transnational nature of terrorism and restoring lasting security.
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