The Federal Government of Nigeria has explained why it allowed United States forces to carry out air strikes against terrorist groups operating in the North West part of the country. The government said the action was taken as part of long-standing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States to address terrorism and violent extremism.
In a statement released early Friday morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that US forces carried out what it described as “precision air strikes” on terrorist positions in the North West region. The statement was signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the strikes were not carried out without Nigeria’s knowledge. Instead, they were the result of structured security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and strategic coordination between both countries.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria confirms that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” the statement said.
The confirmation follows days of public debate and concern after reports emerged that US forces had struck terrorist targets inside Nigeria. Many Nigerians raised questions about national sovereignty and whether foreign troops were allowed to operate freely within the country.
The Federal Government stressed that the cooperation with the United States is in line with international law and based on mutual respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty. It added that such partnerships are common global practice in the fight against terrorism.
According to the ministry, the cooperation includes intelligence exchange, strategic planning, and other forms of support aimed at weakening terrorist networks. The government said these efforts are guided by clear agreements and shared security goals.
“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support,” the statement said.
Nigeria has worked with the United States and other foreign partners for many years to tackle security challenges. These partnerships have mostly focused on training, intelligence support, and equipment for Nigerian security forces. However, direct air strikes by foreign forces are rare and usually draw strong public attention.
The government said the latest strikes were necessary because of the growing threat posed by terrorist groups in the North West, where banditry, kidnappings, and attacks on rural communities have increased in recent years.
The Federal Government also addressed concerns that the air strikes were linked to religious issues. Some earlier reports suggested that the action was taken to protect Christians from attacks. However, the government made it clear that terrorism affects Nigerians of all faiths.
“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity,” the statement said.
The government added that terrorist violence, whether against Christians, Muslims, or other groups, goes against Nigeria’s values and threatens peace and security both locally and internationally.
In states such as Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, and Niger, armed groups have attacked villages, abducted students, and killed civilians, regardless of religion.
Nigeria’s North West has become one of the country’s most troubled regions in recent years. Armed groups, often referred to as bandits, have carried out mass kidnappings, cattle rustling, and deadly raids on communities.
Some of these groups are now believed to have links with terrorist organisations, including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). This has raised fears that the security situation could worsen if not urgently addressed.
The Nigerian military has carried out several operations in the region, including air and ground attacks. Despite these efforts, the vast terrain, weak local security structures, and access to illegal weapons have made the fight difficult.
The Federal Government said the latest air strikes were part of efforts to stop terrorists from expanding their operations and threatening national unity.
“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” the statement said.
The confirmation of US air strikes has sparked debate among Nigerians, with some questioning whether allowing foreign military action could set a dangerous precedent. Others argue that Nigeria needs all the help it can get to defeat terrorism.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured Nigerians that all actions were taken through proper diplomatic and security channels. It also promised to keep the public informed through official means.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to engage relevant partners and keep the public informed through appropriate official channels,” the statement said.
The Federal Government said it remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s own security institutions. While working with international partners, the government said its goal is to improve local intelligence, military capacity, and border control.
It added that efforts are ongoing to disrupt terrorist financing, block supply routes, and prevent cross-border threats.