By Joe Udo
ABUJA (CONVERSEER) – The Federal Government has confirmed that recent precision air strikes on terrorist hideouts in the North West were conducted as part of a structured security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Nigeria remains engaged with international partners in tackling terrorism and violent extremism, noting that the collaboration is rooted in intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and adherence to international law.
According to the ministry, the cooperation aligns with bilateral understandings and global security practices, stressing respect for national sovereignty. It reiterated that every counter-terrorism effort is guided by the commitment to protect civilian lives, defend national unity, and preserve the dignity and rights of all Nigerians regardless of faith or ethnicity.
The government condemned terrorist violence targeting any community, affirming that extremism against Christians, Muslims, or others is inconsistent with Nigeria’s values and international peace. It added that diplomatic and military efforts continue to focus on dismantling terrorist networks, choking their funding channels, disrupting logistics, and preventing cross-border incursions while enhancing Nigeria’s intelligence systems and security forces.
The air strikes follow months of heightened diplomatic pressure between Nigeria and the United States. Flight-tracking analysis by Reuters showed that Washington has been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria since late November using contractor-operated aircraft based in Ghana, run by Tenax Aerospace, a special-mission service provider for the US military.
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Tensions escalated after US authorities re-designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over allegations of persecution of Christians, which Nigeria continues to deny. Washington’s security focus intensified after former President Donald Trump issued a directive on 1 November ordering the Department of War to prepare for potential action against Islamic terrorists in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, met US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on 21 November, after which the US pledged to work “aggressively” with Nigeria on what it termed Christian persecution by jihadists. Weeks later, US Congressman Riley Moore disclosed that both countries were finalising a strategic security framework on counter-terrorism, though no details were made public.
Against rising insecurity and international scrutiny, President Bola Tinubu declared a security emergency last month, followed by orders for mass recruitment into Nigeria’s armed forces and police to curb increasing deadly attacks and widespread abductions across several states.
