Trending 
The Nigerian government has confirmed that United States forces carried out air strikes against Islamic State militants in the country’s northwest, following security and intelligence cooperation between both governments.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed on Friday, December 26, by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, disclosed that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” to address terrorism and violent extremism.
“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the Northwest,” the ministry said.
The ministry stated that the cooperation encompasses “the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security.”
US President Donald Trump had earlier announced the strikes, saying US forces conducted “powerful and deadly” operations against Islamic State militants in northwestern Nigeria. His comments followed earlier warnings against what he described as systemic attacks on Christians in the country.
The Nigerian foreign ministry said 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.”
“Terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security,” the ministry added.
The ministry added that the Nigerian government is working with its partners to “weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats.”
