Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially confirmed that the government engaged in coordinated security cooperation with the United States, resulting in precision airstrikes on terrorist targets in the country’s northwest region. The confirmation follows a public announcement by US President Donald Trump that American forces conducted military strikes against Islamic State militants in Sokoto State.
According to the Nigerian foreign ministry, authorities remain actively involved in structured collaboration with international partners—including the United States—to address the enduring threat of terrorism and violent extremism. This partnership, the statement said, has included intelligence sharing and strategic coordination that led to the recent air attacks on extremist positions.
President Trump had declared on social media that the United States had launched “powerful and deadly” strikes against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria, whom he accused of targeting and killing mostly Christians at historically high levels. The US Africa Command also stated that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities and resulted in the deaths of multiple terrorists.
In its statement, Nigeria reiterated that all counter-terrorism efforts are governed by principles aimed at safeguarding civilian lives, upholding national unity, and protecting the dignity and rights of all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity. The ministry described terrorist violence—whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities—as unacceptable and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ongoing cooperation with international partners to combat violent extremism.
The government also said it will continue engaging relevant partners through established diplomatic and security channels while keeping the public informed as the situation evolves.
