Nigeria Discloses It Supplied Key Information for Christmas Day Airstrikes as US Official Predicts of Additional Operations

Nigeria's government has stated that it played a role in the American military operation carried out on Christmas Day, according to the nation's foreign minister this week.

Ex-President Donald Trump had announced the strikes targeting ISIS militants in the northwestern region of Nigeria after a period of criticizing the group for attacking Christians.

Detailed Discussions Came Before the Military Action

Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, explained that he had engaged in "lengthy" phone conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio immediately prior to and following the attack.

He further added that Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, had approved for the airstrikes. Tuggar left the door open for additional operations, describing them as an "continuous effort" that would also involve international partners.

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

American Official Predicts of Further Strikes in Nigeria

Hours after the initial strikes, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of more strikes against ISIS locations in the region.

Hegseth described the strikes as part of a mission to halt the killing of Christians, a position echoed by the former president. In a public statement, Hegseth wrote, "He was explicit... the murder of innocent Christians in Nigeria must cease. More to come..."

Supporters' Response to the Military Action

The Christmas Day strikes were hailed by some supporters of the former president, who had been agitating for a forceful response to the attacks against Christians.

"I can’t think of a more fitting manner to observe the holiday than by responding to the killings of Christians," commented one well-known activist on a digital platform.

Key Points from the Revelations

• Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria supplied key intelligence for the American operation.
• High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the military action.
• Ongoing Process: The campaign is described as an "continuing mission" with the possibility of future actions.
• Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials maintain the strikes are focused on combating militants, not religion.
• American Stance: A senior US official has signaled further strikes are likely.

The situation underscores the evolving military partnership between Nigeria and the United States in addressing militant groups in the region.