US military strikes show Nigeria is serious about defeating terrorism, says Tuggar

Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, has described the recent United States military airstrikes against terrorist targets in the country as a turning point in Nigeria’s long-running battle against insecurity.

Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, Tuggar said the strikes underscored Nigeria’s seriousness in confronting terrorism and its readiness to deepen security cooperation with international partners to achieve tangible results.

“This shows what we’ve been saying all along, that Nigeria is dead serious about the fight against terrorism and insecurity.

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“For those who doubted Nigeria’s resolve, this clearly shows that we are ready, willing, and able to work with partners, with the United States and with other countries, to fight terrorism”, the minister said.

The minister stressed that the Federal Government’s priority was the effectiveness of security interventions rather than the motivations behind them, noting that Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation demanded urgent and practical solutions.

“We are not dwelling on President Trump’s reason being to stop Christian killings; what concerns us are the results. We are in a dire situation and need results”, Tuggar said.

He explained that Nigeria’s approach to security cooperation was guided by outcomes rather than philosophical debates about intent, emphasising that the government was focused on what delivers real improvements on the ground.

“That’s the difference between what I keep saying is deontology and consequentialism. We’re focusing on the consequentialist aspect of things, the results”, he added.

Reiterating the gravity of the country’s security challenges, the foreign affairs minister said Nigeria would continue to collaborate with any willing partners to combat terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.

Read also: America vows more pounding for terrorists in Nigeria after first Christmas day strikes

“We are in a very dire situation. We need results. We’re willing to partner with others to achieve those results, and this is an indication of a new phase in an old conflict,” he said.

However, the minister had earlier clarified that Nigeria was fully involved in the operation, disclosing that Nigerian authorities provided intelligence support and formally approved the strikes.

He dismissed claims that the US action violated Nigeria’s sovereignty.

According to the Minister, the airstrikes were conducted as part of ongoing security cooperation between Nigeria and its allies, aimed at degrading terrorist networks and strengthening efforts to address insurgency and banditry across the country.

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