FG Confirms 16 Precision Airstrikes in Joint Nigeria–US Operation Against ISIS in Sokoto

The Federal Government has confirmed that 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles during a joint Nigeria–United States military operation targeting Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, stating that the coordinated strikes were conducted between 12:12am and 1:30am on Friday, December 26, 2025, following authorisation by President Bola Tinubu.

According to the minister, the operation targeted two major ISIS camps located within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State. Intelligence reports indicated that the enclaves served as assembly and staging points for foreign ISIS fighters infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region in collaboration with local affiliates.

Idris explained that the strikes were launched from maritime platforms in the Gulf of Guinea after extensive intelligence gathering, surveillance, and operational planning. The operation was executed under established command-and-control structures, with the full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and oversight from the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.

He confirmed that the airstrikes successfully neutralised the targeted ISIS elements and disrupted planned terrorist operations within Nigerian territory.

Debris Fell in Sokoto, Kwara — No Civilian Casualties

During the operation, debris from expended munitions reportedly fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State, near a hotel premises. Idris stressed that no civilian casualties were recorded in either location and that security agencies swiftly secured the affected areas.

The update follows comments by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who earlier confirmed that President Tinubu approved the operation and emphasised that it was a joint security effort, not targeted at any religious group.

“Nigeria is a multi-religious country. This operation is not about religion. It is about combating terrorism and safeguarding lives and property,” Tuggar said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

FG Reaffirms Commitment to National Security

In the statement, the Federal Government reiterated its resolve to confront and eliminate terrorist threats, particularly those posed by transnational extremist networks seeking to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.

“Nigeria remains fully aligned with its strategic partners in executing coordinated actions aimed at ensuring lasting peace, border security, and regional stability,” the statement added.

The government assured citizens that it remains firmly in control of the nation’s security architecture and urged Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant as operations against terrorist groups continue.