The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Nigerian military authorities have formally validated the success of the Christmas Day counter-terrorism operation in Sokoto State, confirming that the midnight strikes delivered “precision hits” that neutralised multiple foreign-linked terrorists, sparing innocent civilians and livestock.
The operation, conducted in the early hours of December 25, 2025, targeted the Lakurawa group, a Sahel-based terror cell described by U.S. officials as ISIS-linked fighters, which had established enclaves across border communities in Sokoto and Kebbi States.
AFRICOM, in a statement, said the strikes were carried out under directives from the U.S. President and Secretary of Defense, in close coordination with Nigerian authorities, as part of a broader effort to disrupt violent extremist networks and protect civilian populations.
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“Our objective remains the disruption of violent extremist organisations wherever they operate,” AFRICOM stated, noting that the mission aligns with ongoing regional counter-terrorism efforts in West Africa.
PRNigeria had earlier reported that the operation deployed a highly sophisticated, multi-platform strike package, including long-range combat drones launched from a U.S. facility, supported by naval strike capabilities operating from the Gulf of Guinea.
Pentagon-released footage reportedly showed at least one projectile launched from a U.S. naval platform, underscoring the synchronised nature of the operation.
A senior defence intelligence source told PRNigeria that the mission was guided by a continuous 24-hour Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) framework, directly linking U.S. personnel in Ghana with Nigeria’s military intelligence command.
“The operation was executed with extreme precision. Only confirmed terrorist combatants and logistics hubs were engaged,” the source said, stressing that extensive safeguards were built in to prevent collateral damage.
According to Nigerian military officials, civilian communities and livestock were deliberately excluded from the strike envelope, in line with international rules of engagement.
Military sources anchored the legitimacy of the cross-border operation on the principles of consent and collective self-defence, noting that Nigeria’s formal designation of “bandits” as “terrorists” provided the legal framework for international support.
They added that Nigeria’s sovereign request for assistance satisfied the doctrine of intervention by invitation, while the depth of ISR ensured compliance with the legal standard of distinction, shielding the mission from allegations of indiscriminate force.
Following the airstrikes, the Nigerian military has moved swiftly to consolidate gains, reinforcing troop presence in Gudu, Tangaza, and Binji Local Government Areas to prevent any regrouping of fleeing fighters and to guarantee security through the festive period.
Security officials described the operation as a major disruption of cross-border terror plots and a significant boost to stability in Sokoto and surrounding frontier communities.
