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Tinubu Approves US-Backed Airstrikes On “Foreign ISIS Enclaves” In Sokoto As Debris Lands In Kwara, Sokoto Communities
No civilian casualties were recorded in either location, and relevant authorities promptly secured the affected areas.
Abuja, Nigeria– The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced what it described as “successful precision strikes” on alleged Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State, confirming that the operation was carried out with the backing of the United States and with the explicit approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to a statement released on Friday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the strikes targeted two locations within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, identified by intelligence agencies as assembly and staging grounds for “foreign ISIS elements” infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region in collaboration with local affiliates.
The government said the operation took place between 12:12 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. on Friday, December 26, 2025, under Nigeria’s established command-and-control structures, with the involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and oversight by the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.
In a detail that is already raising questions about Nigeria’s security architecture and sovereignty, the Federal Government disclosed that the strikes were launched from maritime platforms located in the Gulf of Guinea, using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles armed with GPS-guided precision munitions.
The statement read, “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, GCFR.”
Idris explained that 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.
He said that the strikes were launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea, after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance.
According to him, 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.
“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. No civilian casualties were recorded in either location, and relevant authorities promptly secured the affected areas.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria reiterates 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.
“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 and property.
“Citizens are urged to remain calm and vigilant as decisive actions continue against all terrorist groups threatening the nation.”
