FG Discloses Strategic Details of Joint U.S. Drone Strikes on ISIS Enclaves

The Federal Government has provided a comprehensive disclosure regarding the precision airstrikes conducted by United States forces against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Northwest Nigeria. The disclosure follows a Christmas Day confirmation by U.S. President Donald Trump that American assets had successfully engaged terrorist elements within Nigerian borders.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, clarified that the mission was the result of high-level intelligence sharing aimed at neutralizing transnational threats before they could strike Nigerian population centers. The strikes targeted specific enclaves within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area in Sokoto State.

According to the official statement: “The Federal Government of Nigeria, in close coordination with the Government of the United States of America, has successfully conducted 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 Minister revealed that the targeted sites were far from random. Intelligence confirmed that foreign ISIS operatives were using the deep forest as a gateway into Nigeria from the Sahel region.

“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 statement noted.

The operation was executed with surgical precision in the early hours of Friday morning. According to the government: “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, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”

The mission was not a unilateral U.S. action but a joint endeavor. The statement emphasized that: “The operation was carried out under established command and control structures, with the full involvement of the Nigerian Armed Forces and under the supervision of the Honourable Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.”

The strikes were launched from the Gulf of Guinea, utilizing MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms. A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed to neutralize the foreign ISIS elements.

While the primary targets were destroyed, the government addressed reports of falling debris in residential areas. Expended munition parts were found in Jabo, Tambuwal LGA of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State, near a hotel.

“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 Minister confirmed.

The Federal Government used the briefing to reaffirm its stance on transnational extremism, maintaining that such partnerships are vital for regional stability.

“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 statement read.

Concluding the briefing, the government sought to reassure the public that national security remains robust.

“The Federal Government assures all Nigerians that it remains firmly in control of the national security architecture and is fully committed to protecting lives and property. Citizens are urged to remain calm and vigilant as decisive actions continue against all terrorist groups threatening the nation.”