ABUJA, December 26, 2025 — The Nigerian government has formally confirmed a deepening security alliance with the United States, revealing that structured intelligence cooperation has enabled precision airstrikes against terrorist positions in the country’s volatile North West region.
In an official statement released today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs detailed a partnership involving “the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support” conducted within strict adherence to international law, bilateral agreements, and respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
A Coordinated Campaign Against Insurgency
The confirmation follows unverified reports and social media speculation about foreign military activity in the region, where groups affiliated with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other militant factions have intensified attacks. The Ministry’s statement provides the first official Nigerian acknowledgment of the operational mechanics behind recent successful counter-terrorism strikes.
“All counter-terrorism efforts prioritize the protection of civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity,” the statement read, addressing potential domestic concerns about foreign military involvement.
Rejecting Sectarian Narratives, Upholding National Unity
In a firm rebuke to narratives that frame Nigeria’s security crisis along religious lines, the Ministry condemned terrorist violence targeting any community. It described attacks on “Christians, Muslims, or others” as “a direct affront to Nigeria’s values and international peace and security.”
This aligns with consistent positions from President Bola Tinubu’s administration and independent conflict monitors, who assert that jihadist violence and farmer-herder clashes have claimed victims across all faiths, disproving claims of a religiously-motivated genocide.
Strategic Objectives and Sovereign Assurance
The Federal Government outlined the strategic goals of the international cooperation, which aim to:
· Weaken terrorist networks and disrupt their financing and logistics.
· Prevent cross-border security threats.
· Strengthen Nigeria’s own security institutions and intelligence capabilities.
Crucially, the statement emphasized that all cooperative actions are taken with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty—a key point of national sensitivity. The government pledged to “continue engaging relevant partners and to keep the public informed of developments through official channels.”
This formal acknowledgment marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s security strategy, transitioning a previously discreet partnership into a publicly acknowledged component of its fight against terrorism, while carefully balancing the imperatives of effective action, civilian protection, and national sovereignty.
