The Nigerian government has provided detailed information about the United States military strikes that took place on Christmas Day in the country's northwest. Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, stated on Friday that the operation involved guided missiles fired from American drones.
Details of the Christmas Day Operation
Mohammed Idris revealed in an official statement that the strikes specifically targeted militants linked to the Islamic State group, commonly known as ISIS. The United States had first announced these actions on Thursday, but the specifics regarding the targets and the level of involvement from each nation were initially unclear.
According to the minister, a total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed during the mission. These weapons were launched from MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms. The objective was to neutralize ISIS elements who were reportedly attempting to enter Nigeria from the Sahel corridor.
"The strikes were launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea, after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance," Idris added. This description aligns with a video released by Washington showing projectiles being fired from a navy ship flying the American flag.
Clarifying Sovereignty and Collaboration
The announcement of the strikes by former US President Donald Trump had sparked concerns among Nigerians about a potential violation of national sovereignty. Minister Idris moved quickly to address these worries.
He emphasized that the military action was conducted with the "full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria" and had received "explicit approval" from President Bola Tinubu. This clarification aimed to assert that the operation was a collaborative effort and not a unilateral incursion by a foreign power.
However, Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar noted that details in the official communications between Nigeria and the United States have sometimes differed. He suggested this might be due to Washington apparently backing out of issuing a joint statement with Abuja.
Impact Areas and Official Statements
Information from the remote areas of northwestern Sokoto state and neighbouring Kwara state, which the government confirmed were hit, has been slow to emerge. Minister Idris provided specific locations where debris from the operation was found.
"Debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State," he stated. The minister assured the public that no civilian casualties or injuries were reported as a result of the precision strikes.
Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security challenges, including a long-running jihadist insurgency that began in 2009. The country's struggle to control this violence has previously drawn criticism from Washington, making this collaborative strike a significant development in the complex security landscape.
