We approved US military strike in Sokoto – Nigerian govt

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has disclosed that Nigeria provided the United States with actionable intelligence that led to the recent airstrike on a terrorist enclave in Sokoto State.

Tuggar revealed that he held extensive consultations with the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, ahead of the operation, including a 19-minute phone conversation prior to the strike.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, the minister said President Bola Tinubu granted formal approval before the airstrike was carried out.

According to him, Nigeria played a central role in the operation by supplying the intelligence used by the US military.

“It was Nigeria that provided the intelligence for the US strike,” Tuggar said. “I spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for 19 minutes before the strike, and we agreed to brief President Tinubu for his consent. He gave the approval.

“After that approval, I spoke again with Secretary Rubio about five minutes before the strike was launched against the terrorists,” he added.

The airstrike, which took place on Christmas Day, targeted a terrorist enclave in Sokoto State.

Confirming the operation, US President Donald Trump said the strike was aimed at fighters of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group.