Sovereignty Remains Intact – Tuggar Affirms As US Strikes Bandits In Nigeria With Tinubu’s Blessing

The federal government has confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu authorised the United States to carry out air strikes against terrorists operating in Nigeria’s North-West region, insisting the action does not undermine the country’s sovereignty.

Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, disclosed this on Friday, hours after the United States announced that its forces had conducted strikes against terrorist targets in the region.

The operation was also acknowledged by US President Donald Trump, who said American forces acted in line with ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Tuggar said the approval followed consultations at the highest level and was carried out as a joint operation between Nigeria and the United States.

“Now that the US is cooperating, we would do it jointly, and we would ensure, just as the President emphasised yesterday before he gave the go-ahead, that it must be made clear that it is a joint operation,” Tuggar said.

The minister stressed that the strikes were not directed at any religious group, amid concerns in some quarters that the action could be misinterpreted.

“It is not targeting any religion nor simply in the name of one religion or the other,” he said. “We are a multi-religious country, and we are working with partners like the US to fight terrorism and safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians.”

The development has sparked debate, with critics questioning whether the involvement of foreign military forces amounts to a violation of Nigeria’s territorial integrity. Tuggar, however, dismissed such concerns, saying the federal government would not take any step that compromises the country’s sovereignty.

“Some have viewed the strikes as a violation of the country’s territorial integrity, but the federal government would not take any actions that would violate Nigeria’s sovereignty,” he said.

He added that the collaboration with the United States forms part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to tackle insecurity, particularly in regions where armed groups and bandits have continued to threaten communities despite sustained military operations.

The North-West has in recent years been a hotspot for banditry, mass abductions and attacks on rural communities, prompting the government to explore deeper security cooperation with international partners as part of efforts to restore stability.