FG confirms debris from US-backed airstrikes landed in Sokoto, Kwara

The Federal Government has confirmed that debris from recent United States–backed airstrikes against ISIL/ISIS terrorist enclaves landed in parts of Sokoto and Kwara states, though no civilian casualties were recorded.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government said the precision strikes were jointly carried out by Nigeria and the United States against two major ISIS hideouts located within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to the statement, intelligence reports established that the targeted locations were being used as assembly and staging grounds by foreign ISIS fighters infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region, in collaboration with local affiliates, to plan and execute large-scale terrorist attacks within the country.

The operation was conducted between 12:12 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. on Friday, December 26, 2025, following explicit approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

It 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, alongside the Chief of Defence Staff.

The Federal Government disclosed that the strikes were launched from maritime platforms stationed in the Gulf of Guinea after extensive intelligence gathering, reconnaissance and operational planning.

A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles, successfully neutralising ISIS elements attempting to penetrate Nigeria through the Sahel corridor.

However, during the operation, debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, as well as in Offa, Kwara State, near the premises of a hotel.

The government stressed that no civilian casualties were recorded in either location and that relevant authorities promptly secured the affected areas to prevent any secondary risks.

Reaffirming its commitment to national security, the Federal Government said it remains resolute in confronting, degrading and eliminating terrorist threats, particularly those posed by transnational extremist networks seeking to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and stability.

“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 said.

The government further assured Nigerians that it is firmly in control of the national security architecture and fully committed to the protection of lives and property across the country. Citizens were urged to remain calm and vigilant as decisive counter-terrorism operations continue nationwide.