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Nigeria Confirms Intelligence Sharing with US Before Christmas Airstrikes on ISIS
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Friday that it worked closely with the United States in a coordinated security operation that led to Christmas night airstrikes against ISIS targets in the country’s northwest region.
The ministry acknowledged that the two nations were “engaged in structured security cooperation” that included intelligence sharing and strategic coordination, which ultimately “led to precision hits on terrorist targets.”
“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 ministry stated in an official release. “Terrorist violence in any form whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.”
President Donald Trump announced the military action on Christmas night through a post on his Truth Social platform, stating that he had directed the strikes against “ISIS Terrorist Scum” who he accused of targeting and killing Christians in the region.
“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” Trump wrote. He added that the Department of War “executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.”
The military action follows Trump’s explicit warning last month that the U.S. would “do things in Nigeria that Nigeria is not going to be happy about” and “go into that now disgraced country guns-a-blazing” if violence against Christians continued.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, who has been outspoken about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, praised the operation. Waltz has previously characterized the violence against Christians in the country as “genocide.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reinforced the administration’s stance, writing on X that “The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end.” Hegseth also acknowledged the Nigerian government’s cooperation in the operation.
The airstrikes come amid escalating violence against Christians and Christian institutions across Nigeria in recent months. In November, armed gunmen attacked Christ Apostolic Church, killing two people and kidnapping 38 worshippers, who were later freed after nearly a week in captivity.
The region has seen several other high-profile attacks on Christian communities. Prior to the Christ Apostolic Church attack, gunmen kidnapped 25 girls from a boarding school in Kebbi State, killing at least one staff member. One girl escaped immediately, while the remaining 24 were rescued about a week later.
In another incident just days after the church attack, armed militants raided Saint Mary’s School, abducting more than 300 students and staff members. School officials reported that 50 students managed to escape, but 253 students and 12 teachers remain in captivity.
Nigeria has long struggled with extremist violence, particularly in its northern and central regions. The country faces threats from multiple militant groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which have targeted both Christians and moderate Muslims.
The U.S.-Nigeria joint operation represents a significant development in bilateral security cooperation and signals the Trump administration’s willingness to take direct military action against ISIS-affiliated groups targeting religious minorities in West Africa.
With the Nigerian government publicly acknowledging its role in the operation, the strikes appear to have been conducted with full diplomatic coordination, despite Trump’s previous threats of unilateral action against terrorist targets in the country.
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12 Comments
Interesting to see Nigeria working closely with the US on counterterrorism efforts. Sharing intelligence is crucial for targeted strikes against dangerous groups like ISIS. Protecting civilian lives should be the top priority in these operations.
Absolutely, intelligence sharing is key for effective and surgical strikes. Glad to see Nigeria and the US cooperating to root out terrorism in the region.
It’s good to see Nigeria and the US working together to combat the threat of ISIS in the region. Sharing intelligence and coordinating strategic operations is crucial, but they must continue to prioritize protecting civilian lives and respecting human rights.
Well said. Effective counterterrorism requires a delicate balance – utilizing necessary force while upholding the principles of justice and human dignity that the terrorists seek to undermine.
President Trump’s announcement of the strikes on his social media platform is an interesting choice of communication channel. While bold and direct, it raises questions about the broader diplomatic and strategic messaging around this operation.
True, the use of social media for such announcements can be seen as unconventional. Maintaining clear and consistent communication through official government channels is typically preferred for sensitive military actions.
Precision airstrikes on ISIS targets in Nigeria are an important step, but the fight against terrorism is multi-faceted. Strengthening Nigeria’s overall security capacity, addressing root causes, and working with local communities will also be crucial.
Agreed, a comprehensive, long-term approach is needed. Military action is just one component – building resilient institutions, tackling extremism’s ideological appeal, and fostering economic and social development are equally vital.
I’m curious to learn more about the nature of the intelligence sharing and strategic coordination between Nigeria and the US. What specific information or assets were provided, and how did that enable the precision strikes against ISIS targets?
Good question. Operational details are often kept confidential, but understanding the mechanics of this cooperation could provide valuable insights into effective counterterrorism partnerships.
Nigeria’s commitment to upholding human rights and dignity, even in the face of terrorist threats, is commendable. Balancing security needs with civil liberties is a constant challenge, but it’s good to see they are making that a priority.
Yes, the statement about protecting all citizens regardless of faith or ethnicity is an important principle. Counter-terrorism efforts must respect human rights and avoid fueling further division.