Buani forest in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto
The federal government says debris from precision-guided munitions (PGMs) fired in the attack against terrorists fell in Jabo, Sokoto state, and Offa, Kwara state.
PGMs, also known as smart bombs, are guided munitions intended to hit a target with precision and to minimise collateral damage.
The United States had targeted camps of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists in the Christmas Day bombardment.
In a statement on Friday, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said the precision strike targeted two major enclaves in the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza LGA, Sokoto state.
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Idris said intelligence confirmed that the locations were being used by foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region, in coordination with local affiliates.
The information minister said the strikes were executed in the early hours of Friday, following the “explicit approval” of President Bola Tinubu.
Idris said there were no civilian casualties in any of the locations.
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“The strikes were launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea, after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance,” the minister said.
“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.
“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.
“No civilian casualties were recorded in either location, and relevant authorities promptly secured the affected areas.
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“The Federal Government of Nigeria reiterates its unwavering resolve to confront, degrade, and 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.”
Communities in Sokoto and Kwara had reported explosions at the same time the US launched a fusillade of air strikes on ISIS terrorists in Sokoto.
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