The Federal Government has confirmed that recent airstrikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West were carried out as part of ongoing security and intelligence cooperation with the United States.
In a statement released on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria remains engaged in structured counter-terrorism collaboration with international partners, including the US, to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
The statement, signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the cooperation involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other forms of support, all conducted in line with international law and with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
According to the ministry, the partnership led to precision airstrikes on identified terrorist targets in the North-West, aimed at degrading the operational capacity of extremist groups.
“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism actions are guided by the protection of civilian lives, the preservation of national unity, and respect for the rights and dignity of all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity,” the statement said.
The government stressed that acts of terrorism, whether directed at Christians, Muslims or other communities, contradict Nigeria’s core values and pose a threat to international peace and security.
The confirmation followed remarks by United States President Donald Trump, who said on Thursday that American forces had carried out deadly strikes against Islamic State fighters in northwestern Nigeria.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, said the strikes were ordered by him and executed by the US Department of War, claiming the militants had been responsible for sustained attacks, particularly against Christian communities.
He warned that further military action would follow if the killings continued.
In a separate statement, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation was carried out with the cooperation of Nigerian authorities, expressing appreciation for Nigeria’s support.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria would continue working with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats.
The airstrikes came a day after a bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killed five people and left several others injured in a suspected suicide bombing.
The ministry said the government would continue to keep the public informed through official channels as security operations progress.
