The Nigerian Federal Government has formally announced President Bola Tinubu’s explicit approval for precision airstrike operations conducted by the United States against two significant enclaves of Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists. These critical operations specifically targeted locations within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area in Sokoto State. Carried out on Friday, December 26, 2025, the strikes aimed decisively at neutralising foreign ISIS elements and their local affiliates believed to be actively planning large-scale terrorist attacks within Nigerian territory.
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, confirmed the sophisticated intelligence that pinpointed these locations as crucial assembly and staging grounds for extremist activities. He elaborated that foreign ISIS elements were identified as infiltrating Nigeria from the volatile Sahel region, collaborating closely with local affiliates to orchestrate major terrorist assaults on the nation’s infrastructure and populace. The government underscored the paramount importance of these operations in safeguarding Nigeria’s national security and territorial integrity against transnational threats.
The precision strike operations were meticulously executed during the early hours of Friday, between 00:12 and 01:30. These actions were taken following explicit and comprehensive approval from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and were conducted under rigidly established command and control structures. The full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria was a key component, with direct supervision provided by the Honourable Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, alongside the Chief of Defence Staff, highlighting a robust, coordinated national security response.
Operational reports detailed that the strikes originated from maritime platforms strategically domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea. This deployment was the culmination of extensive intelligence gathering, rigorous operational planning, and thorough reconnaissance efforts, ensuring maximum effectiveness and minimal risk. A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed with pinpoint accuracy, utilising advanced MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms. These strikes successfully neutralised the targeted ISIS elements who were attempting to penetrate Nigeria’s borders via the porous Sahel corridor, disrupting their destructive agenda.
During the immediate aftermath of the operation, debris from expended munitions was reported to have fallen in Jabo, situated in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and also near a hotel premises in Offa, Kwara State. Crucially, the Federal Government swiftly confirmed that no civilian casualties were recorded at either location, a testament to the precision of the strikes. Relevant authorities promptly secured the affected areas, initiating comprehensive assessments and ensuring public safety in the wake of the incident.
Minister Idris unequivocally reiterated the Nigerian government’s unwavering commitment to confronting, degrading, and ultimately eliminating all terrorist threats. He specifically highlighted the severe dangers posed by transnational extremist networks, which persistently seek to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and destabilise its security architecture. This proactive and resolute stance underscores a broader, strategic commitment to protecting the nation from both internal insurgencies and external aggressions.
Nigeria continues to maintain strong alignment with its strategic partners and “Friends of Nigeria” in executing coordinated international actions. These essential collaborative efforts are specifically aimed at ensuring lasting peace, bolstering robust border security, and promoting vital regional stability across the broader West African sub-region. Such international partnerships are deemed indispensable in effectively tackling the complex and evolving challenges presented by contemporary global terrorism.
The Federal Government has proactively reassured all Nigerians of its firm and absolute control over the national security architecture. It reaffirmed its full commitment to the paramount protection of lives and property across the federation. Citizens are strongly urged to maintain calm and vigilance, understanding that decisive and continuous actions are being undertaken against all terrorist groups that threaten the nation’s peace, unity, and stability.
