By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
PRESIDENT BOLA Tinubu approved precision strike operations against two major Islamic State terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State, targeting foreign Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) elements planning attacks within Nigeria, the Federal Government has confirmed.
The strikes, conducted in collaboration with the United States of America, took place within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area in the early hours of Friday, 26, December 2025, the Minister of Information and National Orientation (MINO), Mohammed Idris, stated.
“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,” Idris said.
The operations were executed between 00:12 and 01:30 hours, following explicit approval by President Tinubu.
They were carried out under established command and control structures, with the full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, supervised by the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs (MDFA), 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,” the minister said.
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 authorities promptly secured the affected areas.
The federal government reiterated its commitment to confronting and eliminating terrorist threats posed by transnational extremist networks.
“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,” Idris said.
He added that Nigeria remains aligned with strategic partners in executing coordinated actions to ensure lasting peace, border security, and regional stability.
The minister assured Nigerians that the government remains firmly in control of the national security architecture and committed to the protection of lives and property.
He urged citizens to remain calm and vigilant as decisive actions continue against terrorist groups threatening the country.
The Defence Headquarters had earlier confirmed the joint operations as Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, said the strikes followed credible intelligence and careful operational planning aimed at degrading the operational capabilities of the terrorists while minimising collateral damage.
Meanwhile, Aminu Tambuwal, senator representing Sokoto South, called on security agencies to prioritise the protection of civilians amid ongoing military operations in the state.
