By iNewsAfrica News Desk
Nigeria has officially confirmed that recent airstrikes targeting terrorist elements within its territory were carried out by the United States as part of a broader intelligence-sharing and security cooperation framework between both countries.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Government said the operation was conducted with Nigeria’s knowledge and within the bounds of international law, stressing that the collaboration was aimed at degrading terrorist networks threatening national security and civilian lives.
According to the government, the strikes were the result of joint intelligence coordination designed to neutralize high-value terrorist targets operating in parts of north-western Nigeria, a region plagued by insurgency, banditry, and extremist violence.
“The Government of Nigeria remains committed to working with strategic partners to combat terrorism in all its forms,” the statement noted, adding that Nigeria’s sovereignty was fully respected throughout the process.
Security sources indicate that the operation targeted cells linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other armed groups responsible for mass killings, kidnappings, and attacks on rural communities.
U.S. officials have acknowledged the strikes, describing them as part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in partnership with Nigerian authorities. The collaboration, according to diplomatic sources, includes intelligence sharing, surveillance, and strategic support rather than unilateral military action.
Analysts say the confirmation marks a significant moment in U.S.–Nigeria security relations, reflecting growing international concern over the spillover effects of terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel.
Despite the cooperation, Nigerian authorities emphasized that the country retains full command of its security architecture, reiterating that foreign assistance complements—rather than replaces—local military operations.
As Nigeria continues to confront multiple security threats across different regions, the government says it will deepen alliances that enhance its capacity to protect lives, restore stability, and dismantle extremist networks.
iNewsAfrica will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more details emerge.
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