Nigeria Confirms It Furnished Key Information for US-Led Airstrikes as Defense Secretary Predicts of Additional Operations

Nigeria's government has stated that it provided crucial intelligence in the American military operation conducted on December 25, according to the country's foreign minister on Friday.

Former President Donald Trump previously declared the strikes against Islamic State militants in north-west Nigeria after spending weeks criticizing the organization for targeting Christian communities.

Detailed Consultations Came Before the Military Action

Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that he had held "extensive" phone conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio both prior to and following the airstrike.

He also noted that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had granted authorization for the airstrikes. Tuggar left the door open for additional operations, describing them as an "ongoing process" that would also involve other countries.

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

American Official Predicts of Further Actions in Nigeria

Hours after the Christmas Day operation, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned of more strikes against Islamic State targets in the region.

Hegseth described the strikes as part of a mission to stop the killing of Christians, a position echoed by the ex-commander in chief. In a social media post, Hegseth stated, "The president was explicit... the killing 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.

"There is no a more fitting manner to celebrate Christmas than by avenging the death of Christians," commented one well-known activist on a digital platform.

Key Points from the Revelations

• Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied crucial information for the American airstrikes.
• High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the strikes.
• Continuous Effort: The operation is described as an "ongoing process" with potential for future actions.
• Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the strikes are solely about combating militants, not religion.
• American Stance: A senior US official has indicated additional military actions are likely.

This development underscores the evolving security cooperation between the West African nation and the US in combating militant groups in the Sahel area.