A former U.S. defence official has said that a directive issued during the administration of former President Donald Trump played a role in authorising or accelerating anti-ISIS-related military operations linked to Nigeria.

The claim was made by Pete Hegseth, who stated that the directive helped shape counterterrorism actions targeting Islamic State-affiliated groups operating in parts of Africa, including Nigeria.

According to him, the operations were part of broader international efforts to disrupt terrorist networks and reduce their operational capacity across the region.

The statement highlights the continued involvement of global powers in counterterrorism campaigns in West Africa, where groups linked to ISIS and Boko Haram have remained active.

Authorities in Nigeria have consistently collaborated with international partners in intelligence sharing and security operations aimed at combating extremist groups.

Security analysts note that foreign counterterrorism support has played a significant role in assisting local forces, although the scale and impact of such operations often vary across regions.

Further details regarding the specific directive and operations referenced were not independently confirmed at the time of reporting.