The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave formal approval for the recent United States airstrikes targeting the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), describing the operation as a joint military effort between Nigeria and the United States.
According to official sources, the airstrikes followed extensive intelligence sharing and strategic planning by both countries as part of ongoing counterterrorism collaboration. The government stressed that the operation was conducted with Nigeria’s full authorization and aligned with existing bilateral security agreements.
Authorities explained that the decision was based on credible intelligence pointing to imminent threats posed by ISWAP to civilians, security forces, and regional stability in the North-East and the wider Lake Chad Basin. President Tinubu’s approval, officials said, reflects his administration’s resolve to leverage both domestic and international partnerships to dismantle terrorist networks.
The Federal Government also assured Nigerians that the country’s sovereignty was fully respected during the operation, noting that Nigerian security agencies maintained oversight and coordination throughout the mission. It added that the joint strike demonstrates an increasingly robust multinational approach to tackling terrorism in West Africa.