The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, on Friday, maintained that the United States military airstrikes conducted in parts of the North-West did not infringe on the nation’s sovereignty or territorial integrity, emphasising that the operation was fully authorised by the Federal Government.
Recall that the US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that US forces conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria, and vowed more attacks if the militants keep killing Christians.
The president stated this on his Truth Social platform, adding that the Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes.
PUNCH Online reports that the Federal Government, on Friday, confirmed the air strikes.
Speaking during a CNN interview after the Christmas Day strikes, Tuggar said the operation was a joint, collaborative effort between Nigeria and the US, approved at the highest level of government by President Bola Tinubu.
“We collaborated on this attack. It was a collaborative effort between Nigeria and the US, and President Tinubu gave the go-ahead before it took place, and we don’t see it violating our sovereignty or territorial integrity, which is very important,” the minister said.
Tuggar explained that Nigeria’s cooperation with the US was driven solely by the need to combat terrorism and protect lives, not by external pressure or religious considerations.
According to him, FG remains firmly in control of decisions concerning its territory and security operations.
Addressing concerns about the possible future deployment of US troops to Nigeria, Tuggar clarified that such decisions fall under the authority of Nigeria’s defence and security institutions, not foreign governments.
“These are operational issues that would have to be considered by our military and security agencies,” he said.
The foreign minister emphasised that Nigeria’s approach to counterterrorism prioritises practical results over abstract debates, noting that the country is focused on stopping terrorist violence rather than engaging in philosophical arguments.
“It is not about religion, it’s about the protection of lives and property of Nigerians and our neighbours as well,” Tuggar stated.
