Nigeria Confirms It Supplied Key Information for Recent Airstrikes as US Official Predicts of Additional Attacks

Nigeria's foreign ministry has confirmed that it provided crucial intelligence in the American military operation conducted on Christmas Day, according to the country's foreign minister on Friday.

Ex-President Donald Trump had announced the aerial attacks targeting Islamic State fighters in the northwestern region of Nigeria after a period of criticizing the organization for attacking Christian communities.

Detailed Consultations Came Before the Military Action

Nigeria's foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, explained that he had engaged in "extensive" phone conversations with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio both before and after the airstrike.

He also noted that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had granted authorization for the airstrikes. Tuggar left the door open for further strikes, describing them as an "ongoing process" that would potentially include international partners.

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

American Official Predicts of More Strikes in Nigeria

Shortly following the Christmas Day operation, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth warned of additional military actions against Islamic State targets in the region.

Hegseth described the strikes as part of a mission to stop the killing of Christians, a position reiterated by the ex-commander in chief. In a social media post, Hegseth stated, "He was explicit... the killing of Christian civilians in Nigeria must cease. More to come..."

Political Reaction to the Military Action

The holiday military operation were hailed by some political allies of the former president, who had been calling for a forceful response to the violence against Christians.

"There is no a more fitting manner to observe the holiday than by responding to the killings of Christians," posted one well-known political figure on a digital platform.

Key Points from the Revelations

• Cooperation: Nigeria supplied crucial information for the US-led airstrikes.
• High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the military action.
• Continuous Effort: The campaign is described as an "continuing mission" with potential for more strikes.
• Secular Objective: Nigerian officials maintain the strikes are focused on combating militants, not religion.
• American Stance: A top American defense leader has signaled further military actions are on the horizon.

This development highlights the complex military partnership between Nigeria and the United States in combating terrorist threats in the Sahel area.