Armed Forces Fully Involved in Strikes Against ISIS – Idris

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the Armed Forces of Nigeria were fully involved in precision airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State.

In a statement issued Friday evening, Idris said the operation targeted two major ISIS camps located in the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, which intelligence had identified as assembly and staging grounds for foreign fighters infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region in collaboration with local affiliates.

According to him, the strikes were conducted between 12:12 am and 1:30 am on Friday, December 26, 2025, following approval by President Bola Tinubu, and were aimed at preventing planned large-scale terrorist attacks within Nigerian territory.

Idris said the operation was executed 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.

He disclosed that the strikes were launched from maritime platforms in the Gulf of Guinea after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning and reconnaissance, adding that 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms.

“The strikes were launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea, after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance.

“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,”he stated.

He noted that debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State, near a hotel, but stressed that no civilian casualties were recorded and that authorities immediately secured the affected areas.

Idris reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to confront and eliminate terrorist threats, particularly those posed by transnational extremist networks, adding that Nigeria remains aligned with strategic partners in efforts to ensure border security, national stability and regional peace.

He assured Nigerians that the government remains firmly in control of the country’s security services and is fully committed to protecting lives and property.

He further urged citizens to remain calm and vigilant as operations against terrorist groups continue.