If you had the intel, why didn’t you use it since? Nigerians ask as FG confirms role in US airstrike
Public reactions have continued to trail comments by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, following confirmation that Nigeria provided intelligence for a recent United States airstrike carried out on Nigerian soil.
The airstrike, which was carried out by the United States military in Sokoto State on Christmas Day, targeted suspected Islamic State (ISIS) elements and was first announced by U.S. officials before Nigerian authorities issued clarification on their role in the operation.
Speaking on the development in an interview with Channels TV, Tuggar said Nigeria was actively involved in the operation and had shared intelligence with the United States ahead of the strike. He added that discussions were held with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio twice — once 19 minutes before the airstrike and again five minutes before it was executed.
The minister’s disclosure sparked intense debate on social media, with Nigerians expressing mixed feelings about Nigeria’s role, the effectiveness of the strike, and the broader implications for national sovereignty and national security.
Some users questioned why similar intelligence could not be used directly by Nigerian forces to neutralise terrorists, while others defended the cooperation, arguing that joint international efforts are sometimes necessary.
Reacting, @NnayiLexon questioned the government’s approach, writing, “How do we even balance this statement, you were able to prove information to outsiders but you couldn’t provide same information to your men for years.”
@Everypolitics1 also criticised the move, saying, “If Nigeria had such detailed intelligence, why can’t it act independently to protect its own citizens instead of relying on foreign strikes. Shame.”
The minister’s disclosure sparked intense debate on social media, with Nigerians expressing mixed feelings about Nigeria’s role, the effectiveness of the strike, and the broader implications for national sovereignty and national security.
Some users questioned why similar intelligence could not be used directly by Nigerian forces to neutralise terrorists, while others defended the cooperation, arguing that joint international efforts are sometimes necessary.
Still, doubts persisted over the outcome of the strike itself. @prinxe_B argued that reports suggested the airstrike was largely ineffective, with no confirmed terrorist casualties, while @anasuachara called for transparency, saying Nigerians deserve to know why and how such decisions were made.
Others remained openly sceptical. @Thingummy_Fire described the minister’s claim as laughable, questioning why Nigeria would possess intelligence but fail to act on it. @CO_Mekatech echoed similar concerns, asking why the Nigerian Air Force did not carry out the operation if both intelligence and equipment were available.
In the end, the reactions show that many Nigerians remain uneasy about how terrorism is being handled and why foreign forces appear to be taking the lead.
