Tinubu authorised strikes on foreign ISIS elements in Sokoto, says Mohammed Idris

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, says President Bola Tinubu approved precision strike operations against two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves in Sokoto state in collaboration with the United States government in the early hours of Friday.

In a statement on Friday, the minister said the strikes targeted terrorists’ enclaves within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza LGA of the state.

He added that intelligence confirmed that the locations were being used by foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region, in coordination with local affiliates.

Idris said the enclaves served as assembly and staging grounds for planning and executing 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, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the statement reads.

“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.

“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.”

The minister said debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal LGA of Sokoto state, and in Offa, Kwara state, near a hotel premises.

He said no civilian casualties were recorded in either location, noting that relevant authorities promptly secured the affected areas.

Idris said the federal government remains resolute in confronting, degrading, and eliminating terrorist threats posed by transnational extremist networks.

“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,” he said.

He added that Nigeria remains aligned with strategic partners in executing coordinated actions to ensure lasting peace, border security, and regional stability.

Idris assured Nigerians that the federal government remains firmly in control of the national security architecture and is committed to the protection of lives and property.

He urged citizens to remain calm and vigilant as decisive actions continue against terrorist groups threatening the country.

The defence headquarters (DHQ) had earlier confirmed that the armed forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with the US, carried out the strike operations.

Samaila Uba, director of defence information, confirmed the joint Nigerian-US operations in a statement on Friday.

“The strikes followed credible intelligence and careful operational planning aimed at degrading the operational capabilities of the terrorists while minimising collateral damage,” the defence spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Aminu Tambuwal, senator representing Sokoto south, has urged security agencies to prioritise the protection of civilians amid ongoing military operations in the state.

Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto, said the protection of civilian lives remains paramount and central to all legitimate security efforts.