Nigeria approved last weekend’s rescue operation by the United States Special Forces, Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd.), has declared.
The operation to rescue a kidnapped American, according to him, was not a violation of the country’s sovereignty.
He said the Federal government granted the US the needed support and permission to carry out the military operation.
The United States Special Military Force rescued an American citizen kidnapped by bandits in the northern part of Nigeria.
The Minister said Nigeria gave permission to the United States “as a friendly country” almost as soon as it was contacted by the government.
He ruled out suggestion that the United States might have violated Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Magashi said Nigeria is doing the best it could with what is available to the military to deploy adequate technology in its operations.
US elite troops in rescue operation
The minister further said that Nigeria will explore the current partnership with the United States to tackle insurgency in the country.
“The United States of America contacted the Nigerian government to undertake that operation.
“There is nothing wrong with a friendly nation taking permission to conduct an operation, which is for the mutual good of the countries. That is why we allowed it to happen.”