Nigeria and the United States have launched coordinated Tomahawk missile strikes on ISIS enclaves in Sokoto, with officials confirming more attacks will follow
Nigeria, U.S. Intensify Airstrikes on ISIS Enclaves in Sokoto
Terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria are set to face more devastating airstrikes following Thursday night’s joint military operation by Nigeria and the United States targeting their strongholds in Sokoto State.
Officials from both countries confirmed on Friday that the military action is ongoing, describing the initial strike as a test run ahead of sustained operations against Islamic State-linked militants.
A senior Nigerian security source disclosed that the Thursday operation marked the first phase of a broader counter-terrorism offensive, aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves along Nigeria’s north-western border corridor.
According to a report by The New York Times, a U.S. military official revealed that about a dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired during the operation. However, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, placed the figure at 16 missiles.
In a detailed statement, Idris explained that debris from the missiles caused secondary explosions in Offa, Kwara State, and Jabo community in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Thursday night.
The Tomahawk missile, a long-range, precision-guided cruise missile launched from U.S. naval ships or submarines, is capable of striking targets over 1,600 kilometres away, flying at low altitudes to evade radar while delivering a 1,000-pound warhead.
Video footage released by the Pentagon showed at least one projectile launched from a U.S. warship as part of the coordinated strike.
A U.S. defence official confirmed that the missiles targeted known ISIS camps near the Nigeria–Niger Republic border, where a regional ISIS faction known as Islamic State–Sahel has been launching attacks on civilians and government forces.
The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said its initial assessment indicated that multiple ISIS terrorists were killed in the strikes.
Residents of Tambuwal and Tangaza Local Government Areas described scenes of panic as the strikes unfolded.
They said the skies turned red, followed by deafening explosions as missiles rained down on the targeted locations.
An area struck in Tangaza LGA was still emitting smoke by Friday afternoon.
The Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, Isa Saleh Bashir, said while the exact number of casualties was unclear, the terrorists were badly hit.
“They are certainly injured,” he said, adding that Niger Republic security operatives later reported seeing Lakurawa fighters fleeing the area.
A team of police bomb disposal experts visited the Jabo axis of Tambuwal LGA on Friday and cordoned off the impact site for further investigation.
Shortly after the strikes, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on social media:
“The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come…”
He added, “Grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation.”
The Commander of U.S. Africa Command, General Dagvin Anderson, also acknowledged Nigeria’s role, stating:
“U.S. Africa Command is working with our Nigerian and regional partners to increase counter-terrorism cooperation efforts related to ongoing violence and threats against innocent lives.”
Minister Mohammed Idris confirmed that Nigeria, in close coordination with the United States, successfully carried out precision strikes on two major ISIS enclaves located within the Bauni Forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area.
According to him, intelligence reports showed that the sites were being used by foreign ISIS elements infiltrating from the Sahel, working with local collaborators to plan large-scale attacks within Nigeria.
“These locations served as assembly and staging grounds for terrorist operations against Nigerian communities,” Idris said.
Security officials say the success of the initial operation has paved the way for expanded military action, as Nigeria and the United States intensify efforts to neutralise terrorist networks threatening national and regional stability. Read More
