Table of Contents
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that, in close collaboration with the Government of the United States of America, it successfully conducted precision strike operations against two significant Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves situated within the Bauni Forest area of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
A statement signed by Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, indicated that intelligence confirmed these sites were being utilized as assembly and staging grounds by foreign ISIS operatives infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region. These elements were working in conjunction with local affiliates to plan and execute large-scale terrorist attacks within Nigerian territory.
The minister noted that the precision strike operations were carried out between 00:12 hours and 01:30 hours on Friday, 26 December 2025, following explicit approval from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The operation was conducted under established command and control frameworks, with full participation from the Armed Forces of Nigeria and oversight from the Honourable Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.
“The strikes were launched from maritime platforms based in the Gulf of Guinea, following extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance,” the statement read.
“A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles, successfully neutralizing the targeted ISIS elements attempting to infiltrate Nigeria from the Sahel corridor.
“During the operation, debris from the expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State, near a hotel. No civilian casualties were reported in either location, and relevant authorities promptly secured the affected areas.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria reiterated its steadfast commitment to confront, degrade, and eliminate terrorist threats, particularly those posed by transnational extremist networks that seek 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 assured all Nigerians that it remains firmly in control of the national security framework and is wholly committed to safeguarding lives and property. Citizens are encouraged to remain calm and vigilant as decisive actions continue against all terrorist groups threatening the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of the precision strike operations?
The precision strike operations aimed to neutralize ISIS terrorist enclaves that were being used as assembly and staging grounds for planning large-scale attacks within Nigeria.
Were there any civilian casualties during the operations?
No civilian casualties were reported during the operations, and the relevant authorities promptly secured the affected areas.
How is the Nigerian Government ensuring national security?
The Nigerian Government is committed to controlling the national security architecture and actively taking decisive actions against terrorist threats to ensure the safety of citizens and property.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
