The Federal Government has confirmed that the United States carried out military air strikes targeting terrorist hideouts in Nigeria’s North West on Thursday.
The confirmation was issued through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which said the operation was part of ongoing security cooperation and intelligence collaboration between Nigeria and the United States.
According to the government, the air strikes were carefully executed and focused on specific locations used by the terrorists, rather than indiscriminate targets.
The statement stressed that Nigeria would no longer tolerate the presence of violent extremists in any part of the country, describing terrorism as a direct challenge to the nation’s core values and security.
“Cooperation between Nigeria and the US has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” the ministry stated.
It added that the partnership covers intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other forms of support, carried out in line with international law, respect for national sovereignty and shared commitments to regional and global security.
The government further noted that all counter-terrorism operations are guided by the need to protect civilians, preserve national unity and uphold the rights and dignity of all Nigerians, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
It emphasised that terrorist attacks, whether against Christians, Muslims or any other group, remain unacceptable and pose a threat to both national and international peace.
The ministry said Nigeria would continue to engage its international partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their funding and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats, while strengthening local security and intelligence institutions.
It also assured that the public would be kept informed through official channels as engagements with partners continue.
Earlier on Thursday night, US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out what he described as a successful and deadly strike against terrorists operating in Nigeria’s North West.
The US Department of War also confirmed the operation, stating that the targeted groups had ignored previous warnings to halt attacks on civilians and forced displacement of communities, and warned that further strikes could follow.