According to a statement released on Friday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the airstrikes targeted two major ISIS locations inside the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
The Nigerian government has confirmed that it authorised and carried out what it described as “successful precision strikes” on suspected Islamic State (ISIS) enclaves in Sokoto State, in a joint operation coordinated with the United States government.
According to a statement released on Friday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the airstrikes targeted two major ISIS locations inside the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
The government said intelligence reports indicated that the camps were being used by foreign ISIS fighters infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region, working alongside local affiliates to plan large-scale terrorist attacks within the country.
The operation, which took place between 12:12am and 1:30am on Friday, December 26, 2025, was carried out after what the government described as “explicit approval” by President Bola Tinubu.
The statement read, "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, Bola 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."
Idris stated that the strikes were launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea, after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance.
He explained that 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," he added.