The United States military has, in collaboration with the Nigerian government, launched airstrikes against terrorists belonging to the Islamic State (IS) group in north-western Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the US President Donald Trump who said the “perfect” airstrikes followed his directive to the US War Department, targeting “terrorist scum” which he accused of “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians”.
According to Trump, the US military “executed numerous perfect strikes”, while the US Africa Command (Africom) later reported that Thursday’s attack was carried out in co-ordination with Nigeria in the Sokoto state.
Trump, in his post on Truth Social late on Thursday, said that “under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper”.
The Nigeria’s federal government, in a statement on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi, confirmed the development, saying the cooperation between the U.S. and Nigerian authorities led to what it described “precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.”
“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, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism. This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.
“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security.
“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. Terrorist violence in any form whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.”
However, neither the US military nor the Nigerian authorities has disclosed number of terrorists killed in the operation as of the time of filing this report.