The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that it worked with the United States during recent airstrikes carried out against terrorist locations in the North West region of the country.
The confirmation was made on Friday, December 26, 2025, in an official statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja. The statement was signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, and addressed growing public debate over how the strikes were conducted and whether Nigeria’s airspace was used with approval.
According to the government, Nigeria maintains ongoing security cooperation with several international partners, including the United States, to tackle terrorism and violent extremism. The ministry explained that this partnership involves intelligence sharing, strategic planning, and coordinated actions that follow international law and respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The statement noted that the cooperation recently led to targeted air operations against terrorist camps in the North West. It stressed that such actions are carried out under existing bilateral agreements and in line with global security standards.
The Federal Government also stated that the protection of civilians remains a top priority in all counter-terrorism efforts. It said Nigeria is committed to national unity and to safeguarding the rights of all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnic background. Terrorist attacks, the government added, are unacceptable and pose a threat not only to Nigeria but to wider regional and global peace.
The ministry further explained that Nigeria will continue to work with its partners through diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist groups, disrupt their funding and supply routes, and prevent threats that cross national borders. At the same time, the government said it is investing in strengthening local security agencies and intelligence systems.
The clarification followed an earlier announcement by United States President Donald Trump, who said he approved what he described as a powerful strike against an ISIS camp in Northwest Nigeria. The action was later acknowledged by the US Department of War, which confirmed that the operation was carried out with Nigerian government support.
President Trump announced the strikes on his Truth Social account in the early hours of Boxing Day, Friday, December 26, 2025. His statement came hours after a deadly bombing at a mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, which raised fresh security concerns and calls for increased alertness by the Nigerian Army.
The airstrikes also followed earlier warnings from President Trump, who had accused Nigeria of failing to stop what he described as religiously driven violence. In November, he threatened possible military action and warned that US aid could be withdrawn if immediate steps were not taken.
In response to those claims, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected Nigeria’s classification as a “Country of Particular Concern.” He defended the country’s constitutional protection of religious freedom and outlined steps taken by his administration to improve national security, including declaring a security emergency, restructuring security agencies, and appointing new leadership within the defence sector.
The Federal Government assured Nigerians that it will continue to engage its international partners responsibly and keep the public informed through official channels as security operations progress.