FG confirms Nigeria–US security cooperation after North West airstrikes

The Federal Government has confirmed ongoing security and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States following recent airstrikes that hit terrorist targets in parts of North West Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the airstrikes were carried out as part of structured counter-terrorism collaboration with international partners.

“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” the ministry said.

The statement, signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, noted that Nigerian authorities remain actively engaged in “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” to address the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.

According to the ministry, the collaboration includes intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other forms of support conducted in line with international law, mutual respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and shared 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 statement followed comments by United States President Donald Trump, who disclosed on Thursday that U.S. forces had carried out deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists operating in Northwestern Nigeria.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

He added, “The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.”

Trump further warned that additional military action would follow if attacks on Christians continued.

“If they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” he said.

In a separate social media post, United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the operation was carried out with the cooperation of the Nigerian government.

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

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

The airstrikes came a day after a bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killed five people and injured dozens in what authorities suspect was a suicide bombing, underscoring the ongoing security challenges in parts of the country.

The ministry assured that the Federal Government would keep the public informed through appropriate official channels as developments unfold.