Nigeria Reveals It Furnished Key Information for Christmas Day Military Strikes as US Official Warns of More Operations

Nigeria's foreign ministry has announced that it provided crucial intelligence in the American military operation carried out on Christmas Day, according to the nation's foreign minister on Friday.

Former President Donald Trump previously declared the aerial attacks targeting Islamic State fighters in the northwestern region of Nigeria after a period of decrying the group for targeting Christians.

Detailed Consultations Came Before the Operation

Nigeria's top diplomat, Yusuf Tuggar, indicated that he had engaged in "extensive" discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio immediately prior to and following the airstrike.

He also noted that Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu, had granted authorization for the military action. Tuggar did not rule out further strikes, describing them as an "continuous effort" that would also involve international partners.

"This operation had nothing to do with a specific faith," Tuggar emphasized in an interview with the BBC. "It is to do with attacking terrorists who have been killing Nigerians."

US Warns of Further Strikes in Nigeria

Hours after the Christmas Day operation, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth cautioned of more strikes against Islamic State targets in the region.

Hegseth characterized the action as part of efforts to stop the killing of Christians, a position echoed by the former president. In a public statement, Hegseth wrote, "The president was clear... the murder of Christian civilians in Nigeria must cease. More to come..."

Political Reaction to the Airstrikes

The holiday military operation were hailed by certain supporters of the former president, who had been calling for a strong military reaction to the attacks against Christians.

"I can’t think of 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 Announcement

• Intelligence Sharing: Nigeria actively provided key intelligence for the US-led operation.
• High-Level Approval: President Bola Tinubu personally authorized the strikes.
• Continuous Effort: The campaign is described as an "continuing mission" with potential for future actions.
• Non-Religious Aim: Nigerian officials strongly insist the targeting are solely about combating militants, not religious affiliation.
• US Commitment: A top American official has indicated additional strikes are likely.

This development highlights the complex military partnership between the West African nation and the United States in addressing militant groups in the region.