Nigeria averts unilateral U.S. action by cooperating on airstrikes

By publicly cooperating with the United States on Christmas Day airstrikes, Nigeria’s government may have averted humiliating unilateral military action threatened a month ago by President Donald Trump.

LAGOS, Nigeria — By publicly cooperating with the United States on Christmas Day airstrikes, Nigeria’s government may have averted humiliating unilateral military action threatened a month ago by President Donald Trump.

But security experts say it is unclear whether such strikes can do much to hinder Islamist militants who have long menaced communities in the area.

Trump announced on Truth Social on Thursday that U.S. forces had launched a strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria’s government.

Local media reported loud explosions in the village of Jabo in the evening of Christmas Day. Reuters has not been able to confirm whether there were casualties.

Abuja confirmed it had approved the operation. Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said on Friday Nigeria had acted jointly with the U.S., but not targeting any specific religion.