The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Nigeria’s military have confirmed the success of a major Christmas Day counter-terrorism mission in Sokoto State, saying the overnight airstrikes were precise and avoided harm to civilians and livestock.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of December 25, 2025, targeted members of the Lakurawa group — a Sahel-based network identified by U.S. officials as ISIS-linked fighters operating across parts of Sokoto and Kebbi States.
AFRICOM explained that the mission was conducted under directives from the U.S. President and Secretary of Defense, in coordination with Nigerian authorities, as part of wider efforts to disrupt violent extremist groups and protect communities.
“Our goal remains to disrupt violent extremist organizations wherever they operate,” AFRICOM said, adding that the strikes support ongoing regional security efforts in West Africa.
Earlier reports indicated that the mission used a sophisticated mix of platforms, including long-range U.S. drones and naval support from the Gulf of Guinea.
According to defence intelligence sources, the operation relied on continuous 24-hour surveillance, connecting U.S. teams in Ghana with Nigerian military intelligence.
Only verified terrorist targets and logistics bases were struck, they said, with strict measures in place to avoid collateral damage.
Nigerian officials added that nearby communities and livestock were carefully kept outside the strike zone, in line with international rules of engagement.
They said the action was legally grounded in Nigeria’s designation of bandits as terrorists, combined with the country’s formal request for international assistance — satisfying principles of consent, collective self-defence, and distinction under international law.
Following the strikes, troops have been deployed to Gudu, Tangaza, and Binji Local Government Areas to prevent regrouping and maintain security through the festive season.
Security officials described the mission as a major setback for cross-border terror networks and an important step toward stabilizing Sokoto and surrounding communities.
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