Tinubu's Govt Backs U.S. "Powerful Strike" on Terrorists, Confirms Joint Operation

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially broken its silence following a series of high-intensity airstrikes launched by the United States military against terrorist positions in Northwest Nigeria. In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tinubu administration confirmed that the operation, which U.S. President Donald Trump described as a "powerful and deadly strike," was executed with the full knowledge and coordination of Nigerian authorities. The strikes, carried out on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, targeted ISIS-affiliated militants in Sokoto State, marking a significant escalation in the international dimension of Nigeria’s war on terror.  

The government's confirmation serves to clarify the operational context of the strikes, which had initially sparked speculation regarding Nigeria's sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry stated that the engagement was part of a "structured security cooperation" between Abuja and Washington, designed to disrupt transnational terrorist networks that threaten both nations. The ministry described the outcome as "precision hits on terrorist targets," emphasizing that the operation was conducted in strict adherence to international law and with a primary focus on protecting civilian lives.  

This official reaction comes hours after President Trump took to social media to announce the mission. In his characteristic blunt style, Trump declared that he had ordered the strikes to stop the "slaughtering of Christians," warning terrorists that there would be "hell to pay." He described the operation as "numerous perfect strikes" executed by the "Department of War," a rhetoric that framed the intervention as a direct response to religious persecution. However, the Nigerian government’s response subtly broadened the narrative, reiterating that terror groups target innocent citizens irrespective of their faith or ethnicity, and framing the cooperation as a holistic security measure rather than a purely religious intervention.  

The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) corroborated the Nigerian position, releasing a statement that the strikes were conducted "at the request of the Nigerian authorities." Their initial battle damage assessment indicated that "multiple ISIS terrorists" were neutralized in the camps. U.S. Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, also weighed in, expressing gratitude for the "support and cooperation" of the Nigerian government, signaling a robust military partnership despite the differing political rhetorics emanating from the two capitals.  

Security analysts view this development as a pivotal moment in Nigeria's counter-insurgency strategy. By permitting direct U.S. kinetic action on its soil, the Tinubu administration is signaling a pragmatic approach to national security, prioritizing the elimination of threats over diplomatic sensitivities. The strikes in Sokoto, a region that has seen a resurgence of banditry and insurgent activity (specifically by the "Lakurawa" group), suggest a new phase of warfare where foreign technological superiority is leveraged to degrade enemy capabilities that local forces have struggled to contain.  

While the U.S. President framed the intervention as a defense of Christendom, the Nigerian government remains firm that its alliance with the U.S. is rooted in the "primacy of protecting civilian lives" and safeguarding national unity. As the dust settles in Sokoto, the focus now shifts to the long-term implications of this expanded military cooperation and whether it will lead to a sustained reduction in the violence plaguing the region.