Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has disclosed that Nigeria permitted and supplied intelligence help for the Christmas Day airstrikes carried out by the US army on terrorist targets in Sokoto State.
Tuggar made the disclosure on Friday whereas talking on Channels Tv’s Dawn Day by day.
His feedback comply with affirmation by United States President Donald Trump that he authorised a strong and lethal strike towards an ISIS terrorist base in north-west Nigeria.
What Tuggar is saying
In accordance with the minister, the operation was performed with Nigeria’s full cooperation and didn’t violate the nation’s sovereignty.
“It’s Nigeria that supplied the intelligence,” Tuggar stated.
He confused that the strikes had been strictly counter-terrorism operations and weren’t directed at any non secular group.
Tuggar revealed that he personally sought and obtained President Bola Tinubu’s approval earlier than the operation was carried out, following in depth consultations with the US.
“I used to be on the cellphone yesterday for 19 minutes with the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, of the US. We spoke extensively, and we agreed that I used to be going to talk with President Tinubu, for President Tinubu to offer the go-ahead,” he stated.
“And I did communicate with him, and it was agreed additionally that the statements that might comply with can be statements that might present clearly that it’s a strike towards terrorism and that it’s a part of the continued collaboration between Nigeria and the US.”
He added that the discussions made it clear the operation was centered on defending lives.
“And that it isn’t to do with faith; it’s to do with defending Nigerians and harmless lives of both Nigerians or non-Nigerians. This was clear. We spoke twice.
“We spoke for 19 minutes earlier than the strike after which we spoke once more for an additional 5 minutes earlier than it went on.”
Nigeria dedicated to world counter-terrorism efforts
The overseas affairs minister stated Nigeria stays constant in working with all companions dedicated to combating terrorism, no matter faith or id of the victims.
“Nigeria has remained constant in its strategy to work with all companions which are dedicated to the struggle towards terrorism, no matter what faith, who the victims are, whether or not they’re Muslims or Christians, and no matter what kind of terrorism,” Tuggar stated.
He added that the collaboration additionally extends to tackling banditry and different violent crimes.
“So that is an ongoing course of,” he famous.
Responding to claims of inaction
Addressing considerations in some quarters that Nigeria had been sluggish in taking offensive motion towards terrorists, Tuggar stated the federal government has been working carefully with the US and different worldwide companions.
“We’ve been working carefully with the People. That is what we’ve all the time been hoping for — to work with the People, work with different nations to fight terrorism, to cease the demise of harmless Nigerians,” he stated.
In accordance with him, the strike validates the Tinubu administration’s dedication to tackling insecurity.
“So it is a vindication of the Tinubu administration. For many who thought that there was some foot-dragging or that the federal government wasn’t doing sufficient, it’s a clear indication that we’re dedicated and we’re ready to work with all nations,” Tuggar added.
Extra strikes to return
President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Conflict, Pete Hegseth, warned of additional US strikes towards ISIS targets in Nigeria.
The US army stated that camps by the group in Sokoto state, close to the border with Niger, had been hit through the strikes, with an preliminary evaluation suggesting “a number of fatalities”.
Hegseth stated in a publish on X: “The President was clear final month: the killing of harmless Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) should finish. The @DeptofWar is all the time prepared, so ISIS came upon tonight — on Christmas.”
The protection secretary added, “Grateful for Nigerian authorities help & cooperation. Merry Christmas!”
He then wrote: “Extra to return…”
He confirmed that the strike was carried out on the route of the President of the US and in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
What it’s best to know
In accordance with his Fact Social publish, Trump stated the strike was executed as solely the US is able to doing, and vowed the nation wouldn’t enable radical Islamic terrorism to prosper.
This newest strike follows repeated warnings from President Trump over alleged religiously motivated violence in Nigeria.
In November, Trump publicly threatened army intervention and directed the U.S. Division of Protection to arrange for potential motion in Nigeria.
Be First to Comment