The Federal Government has confirmed ongoing security and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States following airstrikes that hit terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West.
The confirmation is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa.
Ebienfa said the collaboration had resulted in “precision airstrikes on terrorist targets in the North-West,” adding that the cooperation was part of Nigeria’s broader counter-terrorism strategy.
According to him, Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States, to address terrorism and violent extremism across the country.
He explained that the collaboration involved intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other forms of operational support, all conducted in line with international law and with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“The Government of Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity,” the statement read.
The spokesman stressed that terrorist violence, whether targeted at Christians, Muslims or other communities, remained an affront to Nigeria’s core values and a threat to international peace and security.
The confirmation followed a social media post by United States President, Mr Donald Trump, who announced that U.S. forces had carried out what he described as “powerful and deadly strikes” against Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists operating in North-Western Nigeria.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
He added that the U.S. Department of War had executed “numerous perfect strikes,” warning that further attacks would follow if the killings continued.
In a related development, the United States Defence Secretary, Mr Pete Hegseth, said Washington acted with the cooperation and support of the Nigerian Government.
“Grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation,” Hegseth said in a separate social media post, adding that the U.S. Department of War was “always ready.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria would continue to work with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats.
The ministry also assured Nigerians that the government would keep the public informed through appropriate official channels on developments related to national security.
Source reports that the U.S. airstrikes came a day after a bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, which killed five persons and injured several others, in what security authorities suspect was a suicide bombing.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to intensifying counter-terrorism efforts in collaboration with regional and international partners to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.