Tinubu approved US airstrikes in Nigeria, provided intelligence for joint anti-terror operation – Tuggar

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu gave approval for the United States to carry out airstrikes against terrorist targets in the country, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has confirmed.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Tuggar said the strikes were part of ongoing security cooperation between Nigeria and the US and were not motivated by religious considerations. He also disclosed that Nigeria provided the intelligence that guided the operation.

“Now that the US is cooperating, we would do it jointly, and we would ensure, just as the President emphasised yesterday before he gave the go-ahead, that it must be made clear that it is a joint operation, and it is not targeting any religion nor simply in the name of one religion or the other,” Tuggar said.

He stressed that Nigeria, a multi-religious nation, is working with international partners to fight terrorism and protect lives and property. Tuggar revealed that he spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for 19 minutes before securing President Tinubu’s approval for the strikes.

“It’s Nigeria that provided the intelligence. I spoke with President Tinubu, and it was agreed that the statements following the strikes would clearly indicate that this is a joint anti-terrorism operation between Nigeria and the United States,” he said.

Tuggar described the airstrikes as a vindication of the Tinubu administration’s security strategy and a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to combating terrorism in collaboration with international partners.

“Nigeria has remained consistent in its approach: to work with all partners committed to fighting terrorism, irrespective of religion, the identity of the victims, or the type of terrorism, whether religiously motivated or criminal,” he said.

The minister added that the strikes signal the administration’s readiness to act decisively against terrorist threats and refute criticisms of inaction.

This development follows US President Donald Trump’s confirmation on Thursday that the United States carried out an airstrike targeting suspected terrorist elements in Nigeria. The strikes came after Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged Christian persecution.

Tuggar’s revelations underscore the deepening security partnership between Nigeria and the United States, as well as the Tinubu administration’s resolve to tackle terrorism on Nigerian soil.