The Federal Government (FG) has provided further clarification on the recent United States (US) airstrikes carried out on terrorist enclaves in a village located in Sokoto State, explaining that the military operation was conducted within the framework of existing Nigeria–United States security cooperation and long-standing intelligence collaboration between both countries.
In an official statement released in Abuja, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, stated that Nigeria continues to maintain structured and strategic security partnerships with several international allies, including the United States, as part of efforts to combat terrorism, insurgency, and violent extremism across the country.
According to him, this collaboration has played a critical role in supporting coordinated and intelligence-driven security operations aimed at dismantling terrorist groups operating particularly in the North-West region of Nigeria.
Ebienfa explained that the partnership has enabled timely intelligence sharing, operational planning, and joint strategic actions, which have resulted in precise military engagements against identified terrorist targets.
“This cooperation has supported coordinated security actions against terrorist groups operating in the North-West and has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the region,” he said.
He further noted that, in line with established international best practices and bilateral agreements between Nigeria and its allies, the cooperation involves the exchange of actionable intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of technical and operational support, all of which are carried out in accordance with international law.
“These engagements are conducted with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty, mutual understanding between partners, and shared commitments to regional stability and global security,” Ebienfa added.
The spokesperson stressed that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy remains firmly rooted in the protection of civilians and the preservation of national unity, regardless of religious or ethnic differences.
“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national cohesion, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith, ethnicity, or background,” he said.
Ebienfa also emphasized that terrorist violence, in any form or against any group, is unacceptable and poses a serious threat to both Nigeria’s core values and international peace and security.
“Terrorist violence, whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and a grave concern to the international community,” he added.
He further disclosed that the Federal Government continues to engage its international partners through diplomatic, intelligence, and security channels to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their sources of funding, cut off logistics and supply chains, and address cross-border security threats.
According to him, these collaborative efforts are also focused on strengthening Nigeria’s security institutions, enhancing intelligence-gathering capacity, and improving the overall effectiveness of counter-terrorism operations.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to engage relevant partners and will keep the public adequately informed through appropriate official channels as these efforts progress,” Ebienfa stated.
Earlier, United States President Donald Trump announced the military operation in a post shared on his Truth Social platform, describing the strikes as decisive action against terrorist elements operating in Northwest 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, at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries,” Trump wrote.
He added that the US had previously warned the terrorist group to halt its violent activities, particularly against civilians, noting that failure to do so would attract severe consequences.
“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing,” he said.
Confirming the operation, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) stated that the strikes were carried out in Sokoto State with the full cooperation and coordination of the Nigerian Government.
“At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, U.S. Africa Command conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sokoto State,” the statement read.
Reacting to the development on X (formerly Twitter), United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly acknowledged Nigeria’s role in the operation, thanking the Federal Government for its cooperation and hinting at further actions, stating, “More to come…”.