The Federal Government has given more information of the United States airstrike conducted on Christmas day, December 25, aimed at Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves located within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
Information and National Orientation Minister, Mohammed Idris who gave the details in a statement released by his aide on Friday said the precision strike coordinated in conjunction with the government was successful.
He explained that these locations were being used as assembly and staging grounds by this foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region, in collaboration with local affiliates, to plan and execute large-scale terrorist attacks within Nigerian territory.
The Minister went further that the strike operations were executed between 00:12 hours and 01:30 hours on Friday, Dec 26, following explicit approval by President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He added that the operation was carried out under established command, control structures, with the full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and under the supervision of the Defence and the Foreign Affairs Minister, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.
According to him, “The strikes were launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea, after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance.
“A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms, successfully neutralising the targeted ISIS elements attempting to penetrate Nigeria from the Sahel corridor”.
He made it known that during the course of the operation, debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State, near the premises of a hotel while no casualties recorded in either location.
The Federal Government reiterated its unwavering resolve to confront, degrade, eliminate terrorist threats, particularly those posed by transnational extremist networks seeking to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and security.
“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”.
While assuring Nigerians that FG remains firmly in control of the national security architecture and fully committed to the protection of lives and property, citizens are urged to remain calm and vigilant as decisive actions continue against all terrorist groups threatening the nation.
