Nigeria Provided Intelligence, Approved US Terror Strike – Tuggar
The Federal Government has confirmed that Nigeria provided the intelligence and formally approved the recent United States airstrike on terrorist targets within the country.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, a day after the US government confirmed the strike as part of its counter-terrorism operations.
Information gathered by The Telescope indicates that the operation was the result of sustained security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States and was not influenced by religious considerations.
According to Tuggar, Nigeria played a central role in the decision-making process leading to the strike. He revealed that he held extensive discussions with the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and subsequently consulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who gave the final approval for the operation.
The minister explained that both countries agreed that official statements following the strike would clearly reflect that the action was directed solely at terrorist elements and formed part of ongoing joint counter-terrorism efforts.
Tuggar described the strike as a validation of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity through international collaboration, stressing that Nigeria has consistently sought partnerships with countries willing to combat terrorism regardless of religion or identity of victims.
He further emphasised that the operation was aimed at protecting innocent lives, noting that Nigeria has continued to work closely with the United States and other global partners to curb terrorism, insurgency, and banditry across the country.
The US President, Donald Trump, had earlier confirmed the airstrike, with American officials stating that it was carried out based on shared intelligence and in coordination with Nigeria’s government.
Nigeria has faced prolonged security challenges, including insurgency by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province in the North-East, as well as widespread banditry in the North-West, resulting in significant loss of lives and displacement of communities.
Although the United States has long supported Nigeria through intelligence sharing and military assistance, direct US airstrikes on Nigerian soil remain rare and often attract public attention.
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