The Nigerian Government Confirms It Supplied Intelligence for Christmas Day Military Strikes as US Official Warns of More Operations

Nigeria's government has stated that it played a role in the US airstrikes conducted on Christmas Day, according to the country's foreign minister this week.

Former President Donald Trump previously declared the strikes targeting ISIS militants in north-west Nigeria after spending weeks decrying the organization for attacking Christians.

Extensive Discussions Preceded the Military Action

Nigeria's foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, indicated that he had engaged in "extensive" discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio both prior to and following the attack.

He further added that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had given the "go-ahead" for the military action. Tuggar left the door open for additional operations, characterizing them as an "ongoing process" that would potentially include international partners.

"This operation had no connection to a specific faith," Tuggar emphasized in an interview with the BBC. "It is to do with targeting militants who have been murdering Nigerian citizens."

American Official Predicts of More Actions in Nigeria

Shortly following the initial strikes, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cautioned of additional military actions against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria.

Hegseth described the strikes as part of efforts to halt the targeting of Christian individuals, a stance reiterated by the former president. In a public statement, Hegseth wrote, "He was clear... the murder of Christian civilians in Nigeria must end. More to come..."

Supporters' Response to the Military Action

The Christmas Day strikes were met with praise by certain political allies of the ex-leader, who had been agitating for a forceful response to the violence against Christians.

"I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Christmas than by avenging the death of Christians," posted one well-known political figure on social media.

Key Points from the Revelations

• Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria actively provided crucial information for the US-led operation.
• High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu gave the green light for the strikes.
• Ongoing Process: The operation is viewed as an "ongoing process" with potential for more strikes.
• Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the strikes are solely about counter-terrorism, not religion.
• US Commitment: A senior US defense leader has signaled further strikes are on the horizon.

This development highlights the complex security cooperation between Nigeria and the US in combating terrorist threats in the region.