The Federal Government has confirmed that precision airstrikes carried out against foreign Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist elements in Sokoto State were approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement on Friday night, disclosed that the operation was conducted in close coordination with the Government of the United States of America and successfully targeted two major ISIS enclaves located within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to him, intelligence reports confirmed that the locations were being used as assembly and staging grounds by foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region in collaboration with local affiliates. The government said the terrorist cells were planning and executing large-scale attacks within Nigerian territory, with potential targets including towns, villages, and major transport routes across Sokoto State.
The precision strikes were executed between 12:12 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. on Friday, December 26, 2025, following explicit presidential approval. The operation was carried out under established command and control structures, with the full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and under the supervision of the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.
The statement reads, “The Federal Government of Nigeria, in close coordination with the Government of the United States of America, has successfully conducted precision strike operations against two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves located within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State. Intelligence confirmed that these locations were being used as assembly and staging grounds by foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region, in collaboration with local affiliates, to plan and execute large-scale terrorist attacks within Nigerian territory.
The precision strike operations were executed between 00:12 hours and 01:30 hours on Friday, 26 December 2025, following explicit approval by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The operation was carried out under established command and control structures, with the full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and under the supervision of the Honourable Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.
The strikes were launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea, after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance. A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms, successfully neutralising the targeted ISIS elements attempting to penetrate Nigeria from the Sahel corridor. The operation also included surveillance drones and ground reconnaissance to ensure the accuracy of targeting and to minimize any collateral damage.
During the course of the operation, debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State, near the premises of a hotel. While the explosions caused panic among residents, no civilian casualties were recorded in either location. Authorities swiftly secured the affected areas, ensuring public safety and conducting damage assessments.
The Federal Government of Nigeria reiterated its unwavering resolve to confront, degrade, and eliminate terrorist threats, particularly those posed by transnational extremist networks seeking to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and security. Officials emphasized that intelligence sharing, joint operations, and international cooperation remain central to Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy.
Nigeria remains fully aligned with its strategic partners and friends of Nigeria in executing coordinated actions aimed at ensuring lasting peace, border security, and regional stability. The Federal Government assures all Nigerians that it remains firmly in control of the national security architecture and is fully committed to the protection of lives, property, and critical infrastructure.
Citizens are urged to remain calm, vigilant, and report any suspicious activities as decisive actions continue against all terrorist groups threatening the nation. Community leaders have been engaged to help disseminate information and maintain public awareness in affected areas, while security forces continue surveillance and patrols across vulnerable regions.
The Federal Government also confirmed that further operations are planned in coordination with international allies to prevent infiltration of armed groups from neighboring countries, ensuring that threats to Nigerian citizens are proactively neutralized before they materialize.
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