Nigeria's foreign ministry has confirmed that it provided crucial intelligence in the American military operation conducted on Christmas Day, as stated by the nation's foreign minister this week.
Former President Donald Trump previously declared the strikes against ISIS fighters in north-west Nigeria after a period of decrying the group for attacking Christians.
Extensive Consultations Came Before the Operation
Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, explained that he had engaged in "lengthy" discussions with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio immediately prior to and following the attack.
He further added that Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, had approved for the military action. Tuggar left the door open for further strikes, characterizing them as an "ongoing process" that would also involve other countries.
"The strikes had no connection to a specific faith," Tuggar emphasized in an discussion with the BBC. "It is to do with attacking terrorists who have been killing Nigerians."
American Official Predicts of Further Actions in Nigeria
Shortly following the initial strikes, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth warned of more strikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria.
Hegseth characterized the action as part of a mission to stop the killing of Christians, a stance echoed by the former president. In a public statement, Hegseth stated, "He was clear... the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria must cease. More to come..."
Political Reaction to the Airstrikes
The Christmas Day strikes were hailed by some supporters of the ex-leader, who had been agitating for a strong military reaction to the violence against Christians.
"I can’t think of a more fitting manner to observe the holiday than by responding to the killings of Christians," posted one well-known political figure on a digital platform.
Key Points from the Revelations
- Cooperation: Nigeria supplied crucial information for the US-led operation.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu gave the green light for the military action.
- Ongoing Process: The campaign is described as an "continuing mission" with potential for future actions.
- Secular Objective: Nigerian officials strongly insist the strikes are solely about counter-terrorism, not religion.
- US Commitment: A top American defense leader has signaled further military actions are on the horizon.
The situation highlights the evolving military partnership between Nigeria and the United States in combating terrorist threats in the Sahel area.
