Midnight Thunder in the Northwest: Tinubu Authorises Precision Strikes on Foreign ISIS Cells in Sokoto

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved and overseen a coordinated series of precision strikes targeting foreign Islamic State elements operating within Sokoto State, a move the Federal Government says underscores Nigeria’s determination to confront the growing threat of transnational terrorism at its borders. The operation, carried out in the early hours of Friday, December 26, 2025, was disclosed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who described the strikes as a carefully planned response to credible intelligence about the presence of foreign fighters infiltrating the country from the Sahel region.

According to Idris, the targets were located in the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, an area security agencies have increasingly flagged as a corridor for cross-border militant movement. Intelligence assessments indicated that the forest hideouts were being used by foreign Islamic State operatives working in coordination with local affiliates to plan attacks, establish supply routes, and recruit fighters. The minister said the decision to act followed weeks of surveillance, intelligence fusion, and consultations within Nigeria’s security architecture, culminating in explicit presidential authorisation for the strikes.

“The precision strike operations were executed between 00:12 hours and 01:30 hours following explicit approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Idris stated, emphasising that the operation was conducted under established command-and-control structures with the full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. He added that the collaboration with the United States was based on existing security partnerships and intelligence-sharing agreements aimed at countering terrorism and stabilising the wider West African sub-region.

Details released by the government indicate that the strikes were launched from maritime platforms in the Gulf of Guinea, a decision officials say allowed for operational reach while minimising risks to civilian populations near the target areas. The attack involved the deployment of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms, a capability that underscores the increasingly sophisticated nature of Nigeria’s counterterrorism cooperation with international partners. The targets, Idris said, were neutralised following extensive reconnaissance to confirm their use as terrorist enclaves.

The announcement comes amid heightened public concern over insecurity in parts of the country, particularly in the northwest where banditry, kidnapping, and extremist violence have intersected in complex ways. Security analysts have long warned that pressure on extremist groups in the Sahel has prompted fighters to seek new footholds further south, exploiting porous borders and ungoverned spaces. The government’s confirmation that foreign Islamic State elements were operating in Sokoto is likely to intensify debate about border security and regional cooperation.

Idris acknowledged that debris from the operation fell in parts of Sokoto and Kwara states, a disclosure aimed at addressing circulating reports and social media speculation in the hours following the strikes. He stressed, however, that no civilian casualties were recorded, attributing this outcome to the precision of the munitions used and the timing of the operation. “The safety of civilians remains paramount,” the minister said, adding that the strikes were designed to neutralise threats while avoiding harm to non-combatants and critical infrastructure.

The Federal Government has framed the operation as a clear signal to terrorist networks that Nigeria will not serve as a safe haven for foreign fighters. Idris reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to confront transnational terrorist threats decisively, noting that the evolving nature of terrorism requires both domestic capacity and strategic partnerships. He assured Nigerians that the government remains firmly in control of the nation’s security architecture and is continuously adapting its strategies to meet emerging challenges.

Within security circles, the use of unmanned aerial platforms and GPS-guided munitions is being seen as a reflection of lessons learned from past counterinsurgency operations, where intelligence gaps and collateral damage undermined public trust. By highlighting the role of intelligence-led operations, the government appears keen to demonstrate a shift toward more targeted actions rather than broad, manpower-intensive deployments. Officials argue that this approach not only degrades terrorist leadership and logistics but also disrupts cross-border networks that sustain violence.

The involvement of the United States has also drawn attention, particularly in the context of regional geopolitics. While Nigerian officials have emphasised that the operation was conducted under Nigerian command with presidential approval, the partnership underscores the international dimensions of the threat. Western governments have increasingly expressed concern about the spread of Islamic State affiliates across the Sahel and coastal West Africa, warning that instability in one country can quickly spill over into others.

In Sokoto, reactions have been mixed, with some residents expressing relief that security agencies are taking decisive action, while others call for greater transparency and sustained engagement to address the root causes of insecurity. Community leaders have repeatedly urged the government to combine military action with development initiatives, border control, and local intelligence gathering to prevent militant groups from regenerating after strikes.

The Tinubu administration has consistently argued that security is a prerequisite for economic recovery and social stability, and officials say operations like the one in Tangaza are part of a broader strategy to restore confidence and protect livelihoods. Idris noted that the government will continue to brief the public as appropriate, while cautioning against the spread of unverified information that could cause panic or aid hostile actors.

As Nigeria navigates a complex security environment shaped by regional instability, economic pressures, and evolving militant tactics, the Sokoto operation marks a significant moment in the administration’s counterterrorism posture. Whether the strikes will deliver lasting disruption to foreign Islamic State networks remains to be seen, but for now, the government is presenting the operation as evidence of resolve, coordination, and a willingness to act decisively when national security is at stake.