The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed the successful execution of precision strike operations against two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves located within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
The operation, carried out in close coordination with the Government of the United States of America, targeted camps identified as assembly and staging grounds for foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region in collaboration with local affiliates.
According to intelligence reports, the targeted enclaves were being used to plan and coordinate large-scale terrorist attacks within Nigerian territory, posing a grave threat to national security and regional stability.
The precision strikes were conducted between 12:12 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. on Friday, December 26, 2025, following explicit approval by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The operation was executed under established command-and-control frameworks, with the full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and under the supervision of the Honourable Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, alongside the Chief of Defence Staff.
The strikes were launched from maritime platforms stationed in the Gulf of Guinea after extensive intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and detailed operational planning.
A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms, successfully neutralising the identified ISIS elements attempting to penetrate Nigeria through 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, near the premises of a hotel. No civilian casualties were recorded in either location, and relevant authorities swiftly secured the affected areas.
The Federal Government reaffirmed 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, the statement noted, remains fully aligned with its strategic partners and friends in executing coordinated actions aimed at ensuring lasting peace, enhanced border security, and regional stability.
The Federal Government assured Nigerians that it remains firmly in control of the national security architecture and is fully committed to the protection of lives and property, urging citizens to remain calm and vigilant as decisive actions continue against all terrorist groups threatening the nation.
The statement was signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.