The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has disclosed that the Christmas Day US airstrikes in Nigeria were carried out with the full knowledge, intelligence support, and approval of the Nigerian government.
Tuggar made this known on Friday during an interview with Channels Television, stating that Nigerian authorities were in direct communication with the United States shortly before the strikes were executed.
The minister revealed that he spoke with the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, for 19 minutes ahead of the operation and again five minutes before the strike was carried out.
“It’s Nigeria that provided the intelligence,” Tuggar said. “I was on the phone for 19 minutes yesterday (Thursday) with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. We spoke extensively, and we agreed that I was going to speak with President (Bola) Tinubu to give the go-ahead, and I did, and he gave his approval.”
The foreign affairs minister stressed that Nigeria has maintained a consistent approach of working with all international partners committed to the fight against terrorism, regardless of religion or the identity of victims.
“Nigeria has remained consistent in its approach, which is to work with all partners committed to the fight against terrorism irrespective of religion—whether the victims are Muslims or Christians—or the kind of terrorism that it is,” he said.
Tuggar explained that Nigeria has been working closely with the United States and other countries to address terrorism, adding that the airstrikes underscore the commitment of the Tinubu-led administration to tackling insecurity.
“We have been working closely with the Americans and other countries to fight terrorism. This is a clear indication that the Tinubu administration is doing something. For those who thought that we are not doing enough, this is an indication that we are committed and prepared to work with all parties,” he said.
He further noted that both governments agreed that the public statement following the airstrikes would clearly reflect the purpose of the operation.
“We agreed that the statement that would follow would show that the strike was against terrorism and had nothing to do with religion,” Tuggar added.
