US Congressman Says American Airstrikes in Nigeria Were Coordinated With Federal Government, Sparks Sovereignty Debate

A United States congressman, Riley Moore, has disclosed that recent American military airstrikes carried out against terrorist enclaves in Nigeria were executed in close coordination with the Nigerian government, a revelation that has ignited intense debate across the country about security cooperation, sovereignty, and leadership. Moore, a vocal Republican lawmaker, made the statement via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, where he also asserted that former US President Donald Trump is deeply committed to stopping the killing of Christians in Nigeria.

According to Moore, the airstrikes were not a unilateral military action by the United States but a joint effort undertaken with the full knowledge and cooperation of Nigerian authorities. He stressed that this distinction was crucial, noting that the objective was to help Nigeria secure its territory and curb the persistent violence carried out by terrorist groups, particularly those targeting Christian communities.

“We did this in coordination with the Nigerian government, which is very important to point out,” Moore said. “This isn’t the United States acting alone. We are working with the Nigerian government to help secure their country and end the slaughter of Christians in Nigeria.”

His comments followed reports by DAILY POST that the United States launched airstrikes on Christmas Day against terrorist hideouts located in the Bauni forest, within Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The forest has long been identified by security experts as a stronghold for armed groups responsible for kidnappings, mass killings, and raids on rural communities across the North-West.

Moore further explained that the timing of the strikes carried symbolic significance. He recalled that for the past two years, Christian communities in Nigeria had suffered deadly attacks during the Christmas season. According to him, the decision to strike terrorist positions on Christmas Day was a deliberate move by Trump to reverse that grim pattern.

“For the last two Christmases, Christians in Nigeria were massacred,” the congressman stated. “This year, the tables have turned. The Islamic terrorists were the ones receiving that kind of ‘present’ this Christmas.”

He added that Trump’s action marked a decisive shift in US posture, describing the airstrikes as a strong first step toward addressing what he and other US conservatives have described as the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Moore insisted that critics of the strikes were motivated not by concern for Nigeria’s sovereignty or civilian safety, but by political and ideological interests.

“Those opposing this are playing to their Islamic radical base that they now feel compelled to appease, for whatever reason,” he claimed.

However, Moore’s statements have generated mixed reactions among Nigerians. While some citizens welcomed the airstrikes as a long-overdue intervention against terrorists who have overwhelmed local security forces, others expressed deep unease about the implications. Critics questioned why the US announced the operation before the Nigerian government issued any official statement, arguing that the silence of Nigeria’s military and National Assembly undermined claims of genuine coordination.

On social media and online forums, some Nigerians described the situation as evidence of weakened sovereignty, suggesting that Nigeria had been reduced to a subordinate role in its own security affairs. Others countered that modern military cooperation often involves one partner taking operational lead, especially when it possesses superior technology and intelligence capabilities, insisting that coordination does not equate to submission.

The controversy also reignited criticism of the Tinubu administration, with some commentators accusing the government of failing to protect citizens and outsourcing national security responsibilities. Others defended the government, arguing that collaboration with global powers like the United States is both legal and necessary in combating transnational terrorism.

Despite the heated debate, one fact remains clear: the disclosure by a US lawmaker has pulled back the curtain on a sensitive security partnership at a time when Nigerians are deeply anxious about insecurity, religious violence, and the state’s ability to protect its people. Whether the airstrikes will significantly weaken terrorist networks or further polarise public opinion remains to be seen. What is undeniable, however, is that the issue has reopened fundamental questions about leadership, transparency, and the balance between international cooperation and national sovereignty in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.