The Federal Government has confirmed that precision airstrikes carried out against foreign Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist elements in Sokoto State were approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement on Friday night, disclosed that the operation was conducted in close coordination with the Government of the United States of America and successfully targeted two major ISIS enclaves located within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to him, intelligence reports confirmed that the locations were being used as assembly and staging grounds by foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region in collaboration with local affiliates...TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.

The government said the terrorist cells were planning and executing large-scale attacks within Nigerian territory.

He said the precision strikes were executed between 12:12 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. on Friday, December 26, 2025, following explicit presidential approval.

According to him, 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 Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.

The statement reads: “The Federal Government of Nigeria Nigeria Government, in close coordination with the Government of the United States of America, has successfully conducted precision strike operations against two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves located within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State.

“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.

“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.

“The strikes were launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea, after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance.

“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.“