FG confirms US airstrikes on terrorists in Nigeria, says operation followed intelligence sharing

The Federal Government has confirmed that United States forces carried out airstrikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North West, describing the action as the outcome of sustained intelligence and security cooperation between Abuja and Washington.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria is engaged in “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” aimed at tackling terrorism and violent extremism across the country.

According to the statement, signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the collaboration involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other support mechanisms that resulted in “precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by airstrikes in the North West.”

The ministry stressed that the cooperation was carried out in line with international law, respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and shared global security commitments.

“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 said.

It added that terrorist violence, “whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.”

The government’s confirmation followed remarks by United States President Donald Trump, who announced on Thursday that US forces had launched what he described as “powerful and deadly” strikes against Islamic State-linked terrorists operating in northwestern Nigeria.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the militants had been responsible for the killing of Christians and claimed the strikes were ordered directly by him as Commander-in-Chief.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria,” Trump wrote, adding that the operation involved “numerous perfect strikes” executed by the US Department of War.

He warned that further attacks would follow if the killings continued, saying there would be “hell to pay” should the violence persist.

In a separate social media post, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were carried out with Nigeria’s cooperation.

“Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation,” Hegseth wrote, adding that the Department of War was “always ready.”

While confirming that airstrikes took place in parts of northern Nigeria, the Federal Government did not disclose details of the locations hit or the scale of the operation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria would continue to work with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their funding and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats.

The development comes amid renewed security concerns across the country. A day before the reported strikes, a bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killed five people and injured dozens, with authorities suspecting a suicide bombing.

Nigeria has long battled insurgency and banditry in several regions, with the North East and North West bearing the brunt of violent attacks. The government has repeatedly emphasised the importance of international collaboration in confronting terrorism and restoring security nationwide.