“We Collaborated On Attack, It Was Joint Effort Between Nigeria And US” — Foreign Minister Tuggar Says We Don’t See It As Violating Territorial Integrity

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has maintained that the recent United States military airstrikes in parts of North-West Nigeria did not violate the country’s sovereignty or territorial integrity, stressing that the operation was fully authorised by the Federal Government.

Tuggar’s remarks followed a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, in which he said American forces had carried out deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in north-western Nigeria and warned that further attacks would follow if militants continued killing Christians. Trump disclosed this on his Truth Social platform, noting that the U.S. Department of War executed what he described as “numerous perfect strikes.”

The Federal Government subsequently confirmed the airstrikes on Friday.

Speaking in a CNN interview after the Christmas Day operation, Tuggar explained that the strikes were a joint, collaborative effort between Nigeria and the United States, approved at the highest level of government by President Bola Tinubu.

“We collaborated on this attack. It was a collaborative effort between Nigeria and the U.S., and President Tinubu gave the go-ahead before it took place. We don’t see it as violating our sovereignty or territorial integrity, which is very important,” the minister said.

He added that Nigeria’s cooperation with the United States was driven strictly by the need to combat terrorism and protect lives, not by external pressure or religious considerations, noting that the Federal Government remains firmly in control of decisions concerning its territory and security operations.

Addressing concerns about the possible deployment of U.S. troops to Nigeria in the future, Tuggar clarified that such matters fall squarely within the authority of Nigeria’s defence and security institutions.

“These are operational issues that would have to be considered by our military and security agencies,” he said.

The foreign minister further emphasised that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy is focused on practical outcomes rather than abstract debates, stressing that the priority is to stop terrorist violence.

“It is not about religion; it is about the protection of the lives and property of Nigerians and our neighbours as well,” Tuggar stated.