Nigeria Discloses It Furnished Intelligence for US-Led Military Strikes as Defense Secretary Warns of More Attacks
Nigeria's foreign ministry has announced that it provided crucial intelligence in the US airstrikes conducted on December 25, as stated by the nation's foreign minister this week.
Ex-President Donald Trump had announced the aerial attacks targeting Islamic State fighters in north-west Nigeria after a period of criticizing the group for targeting Christians.
Detailed Consultations Came Before the Operation
Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, indicated that he had engaged in "lengthy" discussions with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio immediately before and after the attack.
He also noted that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had given the "go-ahead" for the military action. Tuggar left the door open for further strikes, describing them as an "ongoing process" that would potentially include international partners.
"This operation had no connection to a specific faith," Tuggar insisted in an discussion with the BBC. "It is about targeting militants who have been murdering Nigerian citizens."
US Warns of More Actions in Nigeria
Hours after the initial strikes, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cautioned of additional military actions against ISIS locations in the region.
Hegseth described the strikes as part of efforts to stop the targeting of Christian individuals, a position echoed by the former president. In a social media post, Hegseth stated, "He was explicit... the murder of Christian civilians in Nigeria must cease. More to come..."
Political Reaction to the Military Action
The Christmas Day strikes were met with praise by some supporters of the ex-leader, who had been agitating for a strong military reaction to the attacks against Christians.
"I can’t think of a more fitting manner to celebrate Christmas than by avenging the death of Christians," posted one prominent political figure on social media.
Key Points from the Revelations
- Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied key intelligence for the US-led airstrikes.
- High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the strikes.
- Ongoing Process: The operation is described as an "continuing mission" with potential for more strikes.
- Secular Objective: Nigerian officials strongly insist the targeting are focused on counter-terrorism, not religious affiliation.
- American Stance: A top American official has indicated further strikes are likely.
This development highlights the complex security cooperation between Nigeria and the US in combating terrorist threats in the region.
