Information Minister says coordinated overnight operation neutralised foreign ISIS fighters infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel
The Federal Government has confirmed that President Bola Tinubu approved the U.S.-backed precision airstrike that destroyed two major Islamic State ,ISIS, terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said the operation targeted terrorist hideouts within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, following intelligence that foreign ISIS fighters were infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel to plan large-scale attacks.
He explained that the terrorists were plotting and preparing large-scale attacks within Nigerian territory before the precision strikes were executed.
Alhaji Idris said, the precision strike operations were carried out between 00:12 hours and 01:30 hours on Friday, December 26, 2025, following explicit approval by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu.
He noted that 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.
The Information Minister further revealed that the strikes were launched from maritime platforms located in the Gulf of Guinea after extensive intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and operational planning.
“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 through the Sahel corridor,” he stated.
Idris disclosed that debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State, near a hotel premises. However, he stressed that no civilian casualties were recorded in either location and that security agencies promptly secured the affected areas.
Reaffirming the government’s stance on national security, Idris said the Federal Government remains resolute in its determination to confront, degrade, and eliminate terrorist threats, especially those posed by transnational extremist networks.
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.
He urged Citizens to remain calm and vigilant as decisive actions continue against all terrorist groups threatening the nation.
