The United States has openly praised Nigeria for its cooperation following a devastating airstrike that wiped out terrorist targets in the N...
The United States has openly praised Nigeria for its cooperation following a devastating airstrike that wiped out terrorist targets in the North-West, marking a dramatic escalation in the global fight against insurgency on Nigerian soil.
US War Secretary, Pete Hegseth, on Thursday night thanked the Federal Government for its support after American forces carried out what officials described as a precision military operation against terror enclaves in Sokoto and surrounding areas.
The strike, carried out on Christmas Day, came barely weeks after President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, citing the killing of Christians and rising insecurity.
Confirming the operation in a post that sent shockwaves across security circles, Hegseth said terrorists had been reminded that the US military “is always ready.”
“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth declared.
“The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come… Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation.”
Earlier, Daily Struggle had reported that the United States launched a major military offensive against terror elements operating in Nigeria’s North-West, signalling a new phase of direct international intervention.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued Friday morning, confirmed the airstrikes, describing them as part of coordinated efforts to crush terrorism and violent extremism threatening lives and national stability.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the operation was conducted to protect civilians and dismantle terror networks that have plagued the region.
“Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” the statement said, adding that the collaboration had resulted in “precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.”
The ministry stressed that the operation followed international law and respected Nigeria’s sovereignty, relying on intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and bilateral security agreements.
It also dismissed any attempt to frame terrorism along religious lines, insisting that violence against Christians, Muslims or any other group remains an assault on Nigeria’s core values.
“Terrorist violence in any form is an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security,” the statement said.
As global attention turns sharply to Nigeria’s security crisis, the Christmas Day airstrike—and Washington’s public gratitude—signals that the war on terror in Nigeria has entered a dangerous and highly consequential new chapter.
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