The Federal Government has confirmed ongoing security and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States following airstrikes that struck terrorist targets in the North-West.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the collaboration had resulted in precision air operations against terrorist enclaves in the region.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Nigeria said it remains engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States, to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
According to the ministry, the partnership involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other lawful forms of support, carried out with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and within the framework of international law.
“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.
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It stressed 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 statement followed comments by United States President Donald Trump, who said on Thursday that American forces had carried out strikes against Islamic State elements in North-Western Nigeria.
“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 on his Truth Social platform, alleging that the group had been targeting Christians.
He added that further action would follow if the attacks continued.
In a separate post, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation was conducted with Nigeria’s cooperation, expressing appreciation for the support of the Nigerian government.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria would continue to engage its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to degrade terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats.
The airstrikes came a day after a bomb explosion at a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killed five people and injured several others in what authorities believe was a suicide attack.
The ministry assured that the public would be kept informed through official channels as developments unfold.
