The Nigerian Government Reveals It Supplied Intelligence for Recent Airstrikes as US Official Predicts of Additional Attacks

Nigeria's foreign ministry has announced that it provided crucial intelligence in the American military operation conducted on December 25, as stated by the nation's foreign minister on Friday.

Ex-President Donald Trump had announced the aerial attacks against Islamic State militants in the northwestern region of Nigeria after a period of decrying the organization for attacking Christians.

Extensive Consultations Came Before the Operation

Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, indicated that he had held "extensive" discussions with America's top diplomat Marco Rubio immediately before and after the airstrike.

He further added that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had given the "go-ahead" for the airstrikes. Tuggar left the door open for further strikes, characterizing them as an "ongoing process" that would potentially include international partners.

"This operation had nothing to do with a specific faith," Tuggar insisted in an discussion with the BBC. "The objective is about attacking terrorists who have been murdering Nigerian citizens."

US Warns of More Actions in Nigeria

Hours after the initial strikes, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth warned of additional military actions against ISIS locations in north-western Nigeria.

Hegseth described the strikes as part of efforts to stop the killing of Christians, a stance echoed by the former president. In a social media post, Hegseth wrote, "The president was explicit... the murder of Christian civilians in Nigeria must end. More to come..."

Supporters' Response to the Airstrikes

The Christmas Day strikes were met with praise by some supporters of the ex-leader, who had been calling for a forceful response to the attacks against Christians.

"There is no a more fitting manner to celebrate Christmas than by responding to the killings of Christians," commented one prominent political figure on a digital platform.

Key Points from the Revelations

• Cooperation: Nigeria actively provided crucial information for the US-led operation.
• Presidential Authorization: President Bola Tinubu gave the green light for the military action.
• Ongoing Process: The operation is viewed as an "continuing mission" with potential for more strikes.
• Secular Objective: Nigerian officials maintain the targeting are solely about combating militants, not religious affiliation.
• US Commitment: A top American defense leader has signaled further strikes are on the horizon.

The situation highlights the evolving military partnership between Nigeria and the US in combating militant groups in the Sahel area.