Information Minister,
The Federal Government has provided detailed clarification on the recent joint counterterrorism operation carried out by Nigeria in collaboration with the United States, following public concerns and political criticism over the mission.
Addressing allegations that the operation struck civilian locations with little impact, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, said the strikes were directed at two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State.
In a statement issued on Friday and obtained by DAILY GAZETTE, Idris explained that the precision strikes targeted ISIS assembly and staging grounds located within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area.
According to him, intelligence reports confirmed that the locations were being used by foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region in collaboration with local affiliates to plan large-scale attacks.
The clarification followed calls by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which questioned Nigeria’s role in the joint operation and demanded transparency on command structure, casualties, and the identities of terrorists neutralised.
The party also warned against what it described as a misrepresentation of the collaboration.
Idris said the operation was conducted between 12:12am and 1:30am on Friday, December 26, 2025, after receiving explicit approval from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He noted that the mission was carried out under established command and control structures, with the full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and oversight by the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.
According to the minister, the strikes were launched from maritime platforms in the Gulf of Guinea following extensive intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and operational planning.
He disclosed that 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms.
He added that during the operation, debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State, near a hotel facility.
Idris stressed that no civilian casualties were recorded in either location and that security agencies immediately secured the affected areas.
Reaffirming the government’s stance, the minister said Nigeria remains resolute in confronting transnational terrorist networks seeking to undermine the country’s sovereignty and security.
He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains firmly in control of the nation’s security architecture and is fully committed to protecting lives and property, urging citizens to remain calm and vigilant as security operations continue.
