The Nigerian government has confirmed that President Bola Tinubu approved recent United States airstrikes on suspected Islamic State (ISIS) enclaves in Sokoto State.
In a statement released on Friday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the operation targeted two major ISIS locations within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area.
According to the government, intelligence reports showed that the sites were being used by foreign ISIS fighters infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region in collaboration with local affiliates to plan large-scale terrorist attacks.
The joint Nigeria–United States operation was carried out between 12:12 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. on Friday, December 26, 2025, following what was described as the explicit approval of President Tinubu.
The statement said the operation was conducted 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.
Idris explained that the strikes were launched from maritime platforms in the Gulf of Guinea after extensive intelligence gathering, planning and reconnaissance. A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms.
He said the strikes successfully neutralised the targeted ISIS elements attempting to penetrate Nigeria from the Sahel corridor.
During the operation, debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State. The government said no civilian casualties were recorded and that the affected areas were immediately secured by relevant authorities.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its resolve to confront and eliminate terrorist threats, particularly those posed by transnational extremist networks, and stressed that Nigeria remains aligned with strategic partners to ensure border security, peace and regional stability.
It also assured Nigerians that the national security architecture remains firmly under control and urged citizens to remain calm and vigilant as operations against terrorist groups continue.
