FG Confirms Christmas Day US Airstrikes on ISIS Hideouts, Cites ‘Strategic Intelligence Partnership’ Following Trump’s Military Intervention in Sokoto

The Federal Government has broken its silence on the dramatic Christmas Day military intervention by the United States, confirming that the precision strikes on terrorist camps in Northwest Nigeria were carried out with the full knowledge and coordination of the Nigerian authorities.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, confirmed that the “precision hits” were a byproduct of ongoing security collaboration between Abuja and Washington. This announcement follows a flurry of international headlines after U.S. President Donald Trump revealed he had ordered the strikes to halt what he described as the “slaughter of Christians.”

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria remains engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” the Ministry’s statement read. “This partnership, which involves intelligence sharing and strategic coordination, led to the precision hits on identified terrorist targets in the North West.”

The strikes targeted the Lakurawa group, an ISIS affiliate that has recently seized control of several villages in Sokoto and Kebbi states, imposing illegal taxes and harsh ideological laws. While the U.S. presidency framed the mission through a religious lens, the Nigerian government was careful to broaden the context. An official spokesperson noted that “terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values.”

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth further confirmed the coordination, expressing gratitude on social media for the “support and cooperation” provided by the Nigerian government. Military sources suggest the operation was a high-tech “over-the-horizon” strike, utilizing cruise missiles to bypass the need for a large-scale foreign troop presence on the ground.

The Nigerian Armed Forces are currently working alongside AFRICOM officials to conduct a “post-strike assessment.” Preliminary data indicates that several high-value insurgent commanders were among the casualties, though the military is still investigating whether the strikes caused any secondary damage to nearby civilian settlements.

For the Tinubu administration, the cooperation marks a significant pivot in foreign policy, signaling a willingness to accept direct kinetic support from the U.S. to bolster Nigeria’s overstretched security architecture. However, officials emphasized that such interventions remain guided by “respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and international law.”