Nigerian and U.S. security officials coordinated closely ahead of American airstrikes that hit Islamic State-linked targets in northwest Nigeria, according to Nigerian government and U.S. statements released following the operation.
A senior Nigerian government source told Sahara Reporters that the strikes carried out under President Donald Trump were coordinated largely through the Office of the National Security Adviser, headed by Nuhu Ribadu. The source said intelligence units within the adviser’s office worked with the U.S. military, including U.S. Africa Command, to identify militant positions tied to ISIS affiliates operating in the region.
The source said the cooperation focused on locating and neutralizing what were described as high-value terrorist targets, though officials have not disclosed how many sites were struck or whether senior militant figures were killed.
Reports from local sources indicated an explosion occurred on the outskirts of Jibo village in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Sahara Reporters said it was unable to independently confirm casualty figures or assess damage as of the time of publication.
U.S. Africa Command later confirmed on social media that it had conducted strikes against terrorist enclaves in northwest Nigeria. In its initial statement, AFRICOM misspelled Sokoto as “Soboto,” an error that was subsequently corrected. AFRICOM did not provide further operational details.
Nigeria’s federal government later publicly acknowledged the cooperation. Punchng reported that authorities confirmed ongoing intelligence and security collaboration between Abuja and Washington following the airstrikes.
In a statement issued Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeriaiga maintains “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” aimed at countering terrorism and violent extremism. The statement, signed by ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the partnership involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and operational support conducted in line with international law and respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” the ministry said.
The ministry stressed that counterterrorism operations prioritize civilian protection and national cohesion. “Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity,” the statement said.
It added that terrorist violence, “whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.”
The confirmation followed remarks by President Donald Trump, who said Thursday that U.S. forces had launched what he described as “powerful and deadly” strikes against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused the group of carrying out mass killings, “primarily, innocent Christians,” and warned that further action would follow if the violence continued.
“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing,” Trump wrote.
In a separate social media post, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation was conducted with Nigerian cooperation, thanking the Nigerian government for its support and adding that the Pentagon was “always ready.”
The strikes came amid heightened concern over militant violence in northern Nigeria. They were carried out a day after a bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killed five people and wounded dozens in what authorities suspect was a suicide bombing, underscoring the persistent threat posed by jihadist groups in the region.
Security analysts say the public acknowledgment of coordination marks a significant moment in U.S.–Nigeria relations, as Abuja has often been cautious about foreign military operations on its territory. By emphasizing sovereignty, civilian protection and shared intelligence frameworks, Nigerian officials appear to be seeking to balance domestic sensitivities with the need for external military support.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria would continue to work through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats, adding that updates would be released through official channels as appropriate.
