Nigeria supplied intelligence for U.S. Christmas Day strike on terrorist camp — Tuggar
Nigeria’s Minister of Overseas Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has disclosed that Nigeria accredited and supplied intelligence assist for the Christmas Day airstrikes carried out by the US army on terrorist targets in Sokoto State.
Tuggar made the disclosure on Friday whereas talking on Channels Tv’s Dawn Day by day.
His feedback observe affirmation by United States President Donald Trump that he authorised a robust and lethal strike towards an ISIS terrorist base in north-west Nigeria.
In line with the minister, the operation was carried out with Nigeria’s full cooperation and didn’t violate the nation’s sovereignty.
“It’s Nigeria that supplied the intelligence,” Tuggar stated.
He pressured that the strikes have been strictly counter-terrorism operations and weren’t directed at any spiritual group.
Tuggar revealed that he personally sought and obtained President Bola Tinubu’s approval earlier than the operation was carried out, following in depth consultations with the US.
“I used to be on the telephone yesterday for 19 minutes with the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, of the US. We spoke extensively, and we agreed that I used to be going to talk with President Tinubu, for President Tinubu to provide the go-ahead,” he stated.
“And I did communicate with him, and it was agreed additionally that the statements that will observe can be statements that will present clearly that it’s a strike towards terrorism and that it’s a part of the continuing collaboration between Nigeria and the US.”
He added that the discussions made it clear the operation was centered on defending lives.
“And that it isn’t to do with faith; it’s to do with defending Nigerians and harmless lives of both Nigerians or non-Nigerians. This was clear. We spoke twice.
“We spoke for 19 minutes earlier than the strike after which we spoke once more for an additional 5 minutes earlier than it went on.”
The overseas affairs minister stated Nigeria stays constant in working with all companions dedicated to combating terrorism, no matter faith or id of the victims.
“Nigeria has remained constant in its strategy to work with all companions which might be dedicated to the combat towards terrorism, no matter what faith, who the victims are, whether or not they’re Muslims or Christians, and no matter what kind of terrorism,” Tuggar stated.
He added that the collaboration additionally extends to tackling banditry and different violent crimes.
“So that is an ongoing course of,” he famous.
Addressing issues in some quarters that Nigeria had been gradual in taking offensive motion towards terrorists, Tuggar stated the federal government has been working carefully with the US and different worldwide companions.
“We now have been working carefully with the Individuals. That is what we’ve at all times been hoping for — to work with the Individuals, work with different international locations to fight terrorism, to cease the dying of harmless Nigerians,” he stated.
In line with him, the strike validates the Tinubu administration’s dedication to tackling insecurity.
“So this can be a vindication of the Tinubu administration. For individuals who thought that there was some foot-dragging or that the federal government wasn’t doing sufficient, it’s a clear indication that we’re dedicated and we’re ready to work with all international locations,” Tuggar added.
President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Conflict, Pete Hegseth, warned of additional US strikes towards ISIS targets in Nigeria.
The US army stated that camps by the group in Sokoto state, close to the border with Niger, have been hit through the strikes, with an preliminary evaluation suggesting “a number of fatalities”.
Hegseth stated in a publish on X: “The President was clear final month: the killing of harmless Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) should finish. The @DeptofWar is at all times prepared, so ISIS came upon tonight — on Christmas.”
The protection secretary added, “Grateful for Nigerian authorities assist & cooperation. Merry Christmas!”
He then wrote: “Extra to return…”
He confirmed that the strike was carried out on the route of the President of the US and in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
In line with his Reality Social publish, Trump stated the strike was executed as solely the US is able to doing, and vowed the nation wouldn’t permit radical Islamic terrorism to prosper.
This newest strike follows repeated warnings from President Trump over alleged religiously motivated violence in Nigeria.
In November, Trump publicly threatened army intervention and directed the U.S. Division of Protection to organize for potential motion in Nigeria.