Nigeria Discloses It Supplied Key Information for US-Led Military Strikes as Defense Secretary Predicts of More Operations

The Nigerian foreign ministry has confirmed that it played a role in the US airstrikes conducted on Christmas Day, as stated by the country's foreign minister on Friday.

Former President Donald Trump previously declared the strikes against ISIS militants in the northwestern region of Nigeria after spending weeks decrying the group for attacking Christians.

Extensive Consultations Preceded the Operation

Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, indicated that he had engaged in "lengthy" phone conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio immediately prior to and following the airstrike.

He also noted that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had granted authorization for the airstrikes. Tuggar left the door open for further strikes, characterizing them as an "continuous effort" that would potentially include international partners.

"The strikes had nothing to do with a specific faith," Tuggar emphasized in an discussion with the BBC. "It is about attacking terrorists who have been killing Nigerians."

US Warns of More Actions in Nigeria

Shortly following the Christmas Day operation, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of more strikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria.

Hegseth described the strikes as part of a mission to stop the killing of Christians, a stance echoed by the former president. In a public statement, Hegseth stated, "The president was clear... the killing of Christian civilians in Nigeria must cease. More to come..."

Supporters' Response to the Military Action

The Christmas Day strikes were met with praise by some supporters of the ex-leader, who had been agitating for a strong military reaction to the attacks against Christians.

"There is no a better way to observe the holiday than by avenging the death of Christians," commented one well-known activist on a digital platform.

Key Points from the Revelations

• Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria actively provided key intelligence for the US-led airstrikes.
• Presidential Authorization: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the strikes.
• Continuous Effort: The campaign is described as an "continuing mission" with the possibility of more strikes.
• Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the targeting are solely about combating militants, not religion.
• American Stance: A senior US defense leader has signaled further military actions are likely.

This development highlights the complex security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in combating terrorist threats in the region.