The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, on Friday reaffirmed that the recent United States military airstrikes in northwestern Nigeria did not violate the country’s sovereignty or territorial integrity.
He emphasised that the operation was fully authorised by the Federal Government.
The airstrikes, conducted on Christmas Day, targeted Islamic State militants in Northwestern Nigeria.
US President Donald Trump had earlier confirmed the strikes on his Truth Social platform, describing them as “perfect strikes” and vowing more action if militants continued attacks against Christians.
Speaking in a CNN interview, Tuggar explained that the operation was a joint effort between Nigeria and the US, carried out with the full approval of President Bola Tinubu.
“We collaborated on this attack. It was a collaborative effort between Nigeria and the US, and President Tinubu gave the go-ahead before it took place, and we don’t see it violating our sovereignty or territorial integrity, which is very important,” he said.
Tuggar stressed that Nigeria’s partnership with the US is driven solely by the need to combat terrorism and protect lives, not by any external pressure or religious motivations.
He clarified that any future deployment of US troops on Nigerian soil would be under the exclusive authority of Nigeria’s defence and security institutions.
“These are operational issues that would have to be considered by our military and security agencies,” he said.
The minister also highlighted that Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy focuses on practical results, prioritising the protection of lives and property over abstract debates.
“It is not about religion, it’s about the protection of lives and property of Nigerians and our neighbours as well,” Tuggar added.
