The Federal Government has moved swiftly to assert control over the narrative regarding the Christmas Day airstrikes in Northwest Nigeria, revealing on Boxing Day that the operation was executed based on “credible intelligence” provided by Nigerian security agencies.
The disclosure comes as diplomatic fault lines emerge between Abuja and Washington D.C., with the U.S. administration framing the mission as a religious defence of Christians, while the Nigerian Presidency maintains it was a sovereignty-led partnership against banditry and terror affecting all citizens.
“We Provided the Intel” Speaking to reporters on Friday afternoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar sought to dispel rumours of unilateral American aggression. Tuggar confirmed he held a 19-minute secure call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio prior to the engagement to finalise the parameters of the strike.
“It is Nigeria that provided the intelligence,” Tuggar stated, emphasising that the “go-ahead” was formally given by President Tinubu. The Minister’s comments appear designed to quell growing unease in the North, where the U.S. narrative of a “crusade” against Islamic extremists risks inflaming local tensions.
Impact and Battle Damage Assessment Initial reports from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Nigerian defense sources indicate:
- Targets Destroyed: Two identified ISIS-affiliated encampments in Sokoto State were neutralized.
- Casualties: While no specific body count has been released, officials confirmed “multiple” terrorists were killed.
- Civilians: As of Friday afternoon, there are no confirmed civilian casualties, though local media in Sokoto have reported finding missile debris near village outskirts.
Clash of Narratives Despite the operational success, the diplomatic optic remains fractured. In Washington, the newly rebranded “Department of War” continues to broadcast a triumphant, religiously charged message. Secretary Pete Hegseth warned via social media that “the Department of War is always ready,” implying further unilateral readiness.
Conversely, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a statement calling for national calm, “praying for peace” and reiterating his administration’s commitment to protecting all Nigerians “irrespective of faith.”
A senior security analyst in Lagos noted, “The Federal Government is walking a tightrope. They need the U.S. firepower to dislodge these entrenched groups in the Northwest, but they cannot afford the U.S. political baggage that comes with it.
