The Federal Government has said that a total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms that successfully neutralised targeted two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves located within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
The government said that the ISIS elements were attempting to penetrate Nigeria from the Sahel corridor, stressing that a close coordination with United States of America, has successfully conducted precision strike operations against the ISIS elements.
A statement by the minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, explained that intelligence 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, to plan and execute large-scale terrorist attacks within Nigerian territory.
Idris said 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 Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The information minister said 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 Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.
According to Idris; “The strikes were launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea, after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance.
“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 minister reiterated the unwavering resolve of the Federal Government to confront, degrade, and eliminate terrorist threats, particularly those posed by transnational extremist networks seeking to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and security.
Idris said that 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 assured all Nigerians that it remains firmly in control of the national security architecture and is fully committed to the protection of lives and property.
It therefore urged citizens to remain calm and vigilant, stressing that decisive actions will continue against all terrorist groups threatening the nation.
