Why Tinubu Approved U.S. Airstrikes on Terrorist Camps in the Northwest

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed that he authorised the recent United States military strikes on terrorist camps located in Nigeria’s Northwest region.

The disclosure was made through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, on Friday, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump and the United States Department of Defense announced that American forces had carried out coordinated strikes on terrorist targets within Nigeria.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Tuggar explained that the operation was jointly planned, coordinated, and approved by the Nigerian government.
According to him, the President made it clear before granting approval that the exercise must be a collaborative effort. He emphasised that the strikes were not directed at any religious group and were not carried out in the name of any religion.
“Now that the U.S. is cooperating, we are doing it jointly, and as the President emphasised before giving the go-ahead, it must be clear that this is a joint operation. It is not targeting any religion, nor is it being carried out in the name of one religion or another,” Tuggar said.
The minister reiterated that Nigeria remains a multi-religious nation and continues to work with international partners, including the United States, in its efforts to combat terrorism and safeguard lives and property across the country.
Addressing concerns about possible violations of Nigeria’s territorial integrity, Tuggar dismissed such fears, stressing that the Federal Government would never take steps that undermine the nation’s sovereignty.
“This is a collaboration. It is exactly what we have been calling for,” he added.