The Nigerian Federal Government has confirmed that precision airstrikes were conducted against Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State, with the operation receiving explicit approval from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The strikes targeted two key ISIS locations within the Bauni forest area of Tangaza Local Government Area, identified as assembly and staging grounds for foreign fighters infiltrating from the Sahel region.
These terrorist cells, operating in collaboration with local affiliates, were reportedly planning and preparing to execute large-scale attacks within Nigerian territory. The operation, a joint effort with the United States, was executed between 00:12 and 01:30 AM on Friday, December 26, 2025, aiming to neutralize these threats before they could materialize.
Details released by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, indicated that the strikes were carried out under established command-and-control structures. The Nigerian Armed Forces were fully involved, with oversight from the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, and the Chief of Defence Staff, underscoring a coordinated national security response.
The operation involved the deployment of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions via MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms. These munitions were launched from maritime assets positioned in the Gulf of Guinea, following extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance missions.
During the course of the strikes, debris from expended munitions was observed to have fallen in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State. The government has assured that no civilian casualties were recorded in either location, and authorities have secured the affected areas promptly.
The Federal Government reiterated its strong commitment to combating all forms of terrorism, particularly transnational extremist networks seeking to destabilize Nigeria. The nation remains aligned with its international partners in pursuing coordinated actions for lasting peace, border security, and regional stability.
President Tinubu’s administration emphasized its firm control over the national security apparatus and its dedication to protecting the lives and property of all citizens. Nigerians have been urged to remain calm and vigilant as decisive measures continue against all groups threatening national security.
