By RismadarVoice Media
December 26, 2025
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has said recent airstrikes carried out in parts of North West Nigeria, in collaboration with the United States, demonstrate the Federal Government’s unwavering resolve to confront terrorism, safeguard national security.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, noting that the operation was based on credible intelligence, carefully planned to degrade terrorist’ capabilities while minimizing collateral damage.
According to Uba, the strikes were conducted with the approval of appropriate authorities as part of sustained efforts to eliminate terrorists, other criminal elements threatening peace, stability in the country.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in conjunction with the United States of America, has successfully conducted precision strike operations against identified foreign ISIS-linked elements operating in parts of North West Nigeria,” Uba said.
He added that the operation underscored the Federal Government’s determination, working alongside strategic international partners, to counter transnational terrorism, prevent foreign fighters from gaining or expanding footholds within Nigeria.
“This action clearly demonstrates the unwavering resolve of the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with strategic international partners, to confront transnational terrorism, prevent foreign fighters from gaining any foothold within our borders,” he stated.
Uba reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to protecting lives and property across the country, stressing that Nigeria would continue to support joint, inter-agency, and international security efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace.
Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed that Nigeria remains engaged in structured security and intelligence cooperation with international partners, including the United States, to address terrorism, violent extremism.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the ministry said the collaboration involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, other forms of support conducted in line with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, shared security commitments.
The ministry emphasized that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy prioritizes the protection of civilian lives, national unity, and the rights of all citizens, regardless of faith, ethnicity, adding that terrorist violence against any group remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and international peace.
The clarification followed comments by United States President Donald Trump, who said on Thursday that U.S. forces had carried out strikes against Islamic State terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria.
In a separate social media post, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation was conducted with the cooperation of the Nigerian government, expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s support.
The airstrikes came a day after a bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, which killed five people and injured several others, underscoring the persistent security challenges facing parts of the counter
