How US Airstrikes Against Terrorists in Nigeria Were Coordinated With Local Intelligence — Minister Tuggar Explains

 How US Airstrikes Against Terrorists in Nigeria Were Coordinated With Local Intelligence — Minister Tuggar Explains

In late December 2025, a series of US airstrikes targeting suspected Islamic State (ISIS/ISWAP) insurgent locations in northwest Nigeria gained global attention as both Washington and Abuja confirmed the mission. What jumped out the most was the level of coordination and intelligence sharing between the US and Nigerian governments, which marked a shift away from unilateral military measures and a sign of the two countries' growing security collaboration.

Nigeria: Approval and Intelligence Sharing

Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, clarified that the strikes were not unilateral US activities carried out without warning, but rather collaboratively coordinated operations with Nigerian agreement and assistance. According to Tuggar:

Nigerian officials provided key intelligence that led the United States' operations.

Tuggar directly spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio immediately before the air assaults.

President Bola Tinubu issued formal authorization for the strikes, confirming Nigeria’s Consent and sovereign approval.

Tuggar noted that the Nigerian government and the United States communicated extensively prior to the strikes, including real-time coordination soon before they occurred. This level of collaboration is a significant moment in the security relations between the two nations.

Why coordination was necessary.

The Nigerian government has faced several security challenges from Islamist militants, notably ISWAP-affiliated organizations, as well as other extremist and bandit groups. Despite significant efforts by the Nigerian military, some terrorists continue to operate with mobility and persistence, particularly in northwest and northeast regions.

In this setting, Nigerian authorities have chosen to collaborate with international allies, particularly the United States, whose intelligence, surveillance, and precision strike capabilities provide greater reach and effectiveness against entrenched targets. The coordinated action was characterized as part of an ongoing attempt to weaken terrorist networks, rather than an isolated strike with no strategic objective.

What Minister Tuggar Said Publically

Tuggar stressed many crucial points about airstrike coordination:

The Nigerian government provided actionable intelligence that directly informed the United States' targeting process.

President Tinubu approved the action, emphasizing that it was not a unilateral incursion but a sanctioned military move.

The objective was terrorism—not religion: While then-US President Donald Trump presented the strikes as a response to attacks on Christians, Nigerian officials emphasized that terrorism in Nigeria affects all communities, regardless of religion. Tuggar stated that these actions are about tackling extremism across the board.

The airstrikes were widely reported to be taking place near Sokoto State in northwest Nigeria, targeting militants linked to Islamic State groups suspected of terrorizing local residents.
Reuters

Official statements and diplomatic tones

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released comments emphasizing that:

These activities were part of a long-term, structured security collaboration with the US and other international allies.

Operations were carried out in accordance with international law and Nigeria's sovereignty.

Nigeria remains determined to combat terrorism through sharing intelligence, strategic collaboration, and mutual respect.

Reactions and implications.

The confirmation of coordinated efforts triggered reactions both domestically and internationally:

Supporters of the collaboration believe that Nigeria's own security forces lack the modern ability to launch deep attacks against entrenched militant sites, necessitating international cooperation. Others argue that such cooperation build worldwide counterterrorism networks.

Critics, however, highlight concerns about sovereignty and the long-term consequences of foreign military involvement on Nigerian land, even when approved.

Regardless of one's point of view, this episode certainly marks the beginning of a new era in Nigeria-US security relations: one in which intelligence sharing and military collaboration are not only conceivable, but also operationalized through combined military action against common threats.