The Nigerian government has acknowledged awareness of reported United States airstrikes targeting suspected extremist elements in the Northwest region of the country, following a public claim by U.S. President Donald Trump on social media.
Trump first announced the reported military action in a post shared on his verified social media account on Thursday evening, stating that the United States had carried out what he described as “powerful and deadly” airstrikes against what he called ISIS-linked terrorist elements operating in Northwest Nigeria. In the post, Trump accused the groups of carrying out violent attacks against civilians, particularly Christian communities.
The claims drew widespread attention due to the sensitivity surrounding foreign military operations on Nigerian territory and the broader security challenges facing the country.
According to Daily Nigeria, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs later acknowledged awareness of the reported strikes and emphasized that the action occurred within the framework of existing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. The ministry reportedly indicated that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured collaboration with international partners to address terrorism and violent extremism.
The report quoted the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, as stating that cooperation between Nigeria and the United States “has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.” The spokesperson reportedly added that such cooperation is conducted in line with bilateral understandings and established international practices.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further explained that Nigeria’s security partnership with the United States includes intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and other forms of counterterrorism support. According to the statement cited by Daily Nigeria, these efforts are carried out with respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty, international law, and shared commitments to regional and global security.
Trump’s social media announcement marked the first public disclosure of the reported operation, with no immediate detailed briefing from U.S. defense authorities. In his statement, Trump framed the action as a response to ongoing extremist violence and warned that further attacks could prompt additional military measures.
Nigeria continues to face complex security challenges across multiple regions, including insurgency, banditry, and terrorism. In response, the country has maintained security partnerships with several international allies, particularly in intelligence gathering, training, and operational support.
As of the time of publication, Nigerian security agencies have not released detailed operational information regarding the timing, scope, or specific targets of the reported airstrikes. Observers say further clarification may emerge as both governments respond to public interest and international scrutiny surrounding the claims.