Tinubu approved precision strikes on ISIS cells — FG

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved coordinated precision strikes on suspected Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State, the Federal Government has announced.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the operation was carried out in collaboration with the United States Government after receiving the President’s authorization.

The government said intelligence indicated that the locations in the Bauni forest area of Tangaza Local Government were being used by foreign ISIS elements coming in from the Sahel and working with local associates to plan major attacks.

The strikes, executed between 12:12 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. on December 26, took place under the supervision of Nigeria’s security leadership, including the Armed Forces, the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, and the Chief of Defence Staff.

The statement added that 16 GPS-guided munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms from maritime bases in the Gulf of Guinea, successfully hitting the identified targets.

Authorities also confirmed that debris from expended munitions fell in parts of Sokoto and Kwara States — specifically Jabo in Tambuwal Local Government Area and near a hotel in Offa.

No civilian casualties were reported, and security agencies secured the affected areas.

The Federal Government said the operation underscores Nigeria’s determination to disrupt and dismantle terrorist networks threatening national security and regional stability.

It urged citizens to remain calm and vigilant, assuring that the nation’s security architecture remains firmly under control and committed to protecting lives and property.