Nigeria has officially confirmed that its security forces are collaborating with international partners, including the United States, to conduct air strikes against terrorist targets in the country’s Northwest region. The confirmation came from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which stated that these actions are a result of ongoing intelligence sharing and strategic coordination.
The government emphasized that this cooperation aligns with established international practices and bilateral agreements. These understandings facilitate the exchange of vital intelligence and coordinated strategic efforts, all while upholding Nigeria’s sovereignty and adhering to international legal frameworks. The collaboration aims to dismantle terrorist networks operating within the nation.
Precision strikes have been carried out against terrorist sites in the Northwest as a direct outcome of this partnership. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted that such operations are conducted in line with international norms and existing bilateral understandings, underscoring a commitment to shared security objectives.
A core tenet of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy, as reiterated by the government, is the paramount importance of protecting civilian lives. All efforts are guided by the principle of safeguarding national unity and upholding the fundamental rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.
The government unequivocally condemned terrorist violence in all its forms, stating that attacks targeting any community, whether Christian, Muslim, or any other group, are an affront to Nigeria’s core values and pose a threat to both regional and global peace and security.
Nigeria continues to actively work with its partners to degrade the capabilities of terrorist networks. This includes efforts to disrupt their financial resources and logistical support systems, thereby preventing the spread of cross-border threats and reinforcing national security infrastructure and intelligence gathering capabilities.
This confirmation follows reports of the United States planning to provide additional support to northern states. This assistance is intended to bolster surveillance, enhance security operations, and strengthen counter-terrorism initiatives in the region, building upon the recent military actions.
Earlier reports indicated that U.S. airstrikes were ordered on Christmas night against militants identified as operating in Northwest Nigeria. The group was accused of perpetrating deadly attacks, particularly against Christian communities, prompting the U.S. intervention.
