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Details of US strikes in Sokoto revealed
Terrorist encampments in northern Nigeria came under a coordinated airstrike Thursday night in a major joint operation between Nigerian security forces and the United States, targeting Islamic State (ISIS) enclaves in Sokoto State near the Niger border.
Officials confirmed yesterday that follow-up operations are ongoing to eliminate remaining threats.
The operation, described by a Nigerian security source as a “test run,” involved precision targeting of ISIS locations along the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, a key infiltration route from the Sahel region. The militants in the area have been linked to repeated attacks on civilians and government forces.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris said in a detailed statement that the strikes were conducted between 12:12 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. on Friday, 26 December 2025, following explicit approval from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Intelligence confirmed that these locations were being used as assembly and staging grounds by foreign ISIS elements, collaborating with local affiliates to plan and execute large-scale terrorist attacks within Nigerian territory,” Idris said.
The joint operation deployed 16 GPS-guided precision munitions using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms. Launches were conducted from maritime platforms stationed in the Gulf of Guinea, under the supervision of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, and the Chief of Defence Staff.
A US military official told The New York Times that around a dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired during the operation.
The Tomahawk, a long-range, subsonic missile capable of carrying a 1,000-pound warhead, is designed for deep-strike missions and can be launched from ships or submarines over distances exceeding 1,600 kilometres, flying at low altitudes to evade radar detection.
Pentagon footage showed at least one projectile launched from a US warship targeting multiple militants at known ISIS camps.
The US Africa Command confirmed that the initial assessment indicates “multiple” ISIS terrorists were neutralized.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on social media: “The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come… Grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation.”
Commander Dagvin Anderson of US Africa Command also acknowledged Nigeria’s assistance, noting that the operation strengthens counterterrorism cooperation in the region.
Local residents described a terrifying night as the skies turned red, followed by deafening explosions. “It was almost like daytime. Some of us thought a plane had crashed,” said Sanusi Madabo, a resident of Jabo in Tambuwal LGA.
In Offa, Kwara State, fragments from the munitions struck several buildings, including a hotel in Adeleke area, causing substantial damage, though no civilian casualties were reported. Mrs. Biodun Alabi, a resident of Adeleke, recalled the moment: “When fragments started falling, we thought a plane had broken apart. We thank God no one was hurt.”
Tangaza Local Government Chairman Isa Salihu said the targeted areas are well-known terrorist routes frequently used for infiltration from Niger Republic. “These zones are dense forests where they establish camps. We cannot yet confirm if targets were killed; detailed security reports are awaited,” he said, adding that the explosions caused panic among surrounding communities.
Police and bomb disposal experts cordoned off affected sites in Jabo and Offa to secure debris and ensure public safety. The Commandant of Police Base 15 Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Mr Hassan Jatau, led efforts to prevent any accidents from falling missile fragments.
The airstrikes follow a recent series of US-Nigeria counterterrorism efforts in the North-West. Earlier this month, the US conducted air operations in Sokoto and neighboring states, successfully neutralizing several ISIS elements, in coordination with Nigerian forces. These operations come amid heightened insecurity in northern Nigeria, which has drawn international attention.
Residents in Tambuwal and Tangaza LGAs reported witnessing the sky turn red before hearing multiple loud explosions. Panic ensued as families scrambled for safety. In Offa, debris from expended munitions caused structural damage to homes and commercial buildings. A hotel in Adeleke area suffered major damage when a piece of metal pierced its roof.
The Federal Government stressed that no civilian casualties were recorded, and relevant authorities promptly secured the affected areas. Niger Republic security forces reportedly observed some militants fleeing the scene after the strikes. An area in Tangaza LGA remained smoky as of yesterday afternoon, reflecting the intensity of the bombardment.
Information Minister Idris reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to confront and degrade terrorist threats.
“Nigeria remains fully aligned with strategic partners and friends in executing coordinated actions aimed at ensuring lasting peace, border security, and regional stability,” he said, urging citizens to remain calm and vigilant.
Thursday night’s operation highlights the growing collaboration between Nigeria and international partners in counterterrorism, signaling an escalation in efforts to neutralize transnational extremist networks threatening the country’s sovereignty. Authorities continue to monitor the area and conduct follow-up operations as part of an ongoing strategy to secure the North-West.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed that there are two main reasons a former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, is being detained by the commission.
It also revealed that legal action was taken against the Enugu-born politician after he failed to honour several invitations extended to him through a letter referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16, and dated 15 May 2026.
John Odey, the spokesman of the commission in a statement on Wednesday explained that the commission later approached Federal High Court, Abuja Division, with the suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026) in order to effect Nnaji’s arrest after his failure to honour invitation.
Nnaji was arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, when he boarded a private jet to Abuja.
Corroborating the development, the ICPC spokesman said Nnaji’s arrest was effected at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon his arrival where he was led to the commission’s custody immediately.
According to him, Nnaji is being probed on forgery of academic credentials, specifically concerning a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and False National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate, which was submitted during his ministerial screening process in 2023.
The statement read, “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji (M), following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
“The arrest was effected on Wednesday, 1st July 2026 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon Mr. Nnaji’s arrival.
“He was apprehended with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS) and subsequently handed over to the ICPC for further investigation.
“The Commission had earlier extended formal invitations to the former minister through a letter referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16, dated 15 May 2026.
“The invitation notices were duly served to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as via his electronic mail address.
“Despite service through multiple channels, Mr. Nnaji failed to appear for investigative interviews on the scheduled dates, necessitating further legal action.
“The legal action followed a court order granted by the Federal High Court in the Abuja Judicial Division (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026).
“The order, issued on 11 June 2026, directed the ICPC to arrest the former minister to enable investigation into allegations bordering on:
“Forgery of academic credentials, specifically concerning a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); and “False National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate, which was submitted during his ministerial screening process in 2023.
“Following the arrest, Mr. Nnaji has been taken into custody at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where investigations are expected to continue. The Commission assures the public that the matter will be pursued diligently in accordance with the law.”
The immediate past Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was arrested on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on arrival from Enugu via a chartered flight.
Authoritative sources at the airport confirmed the arrest to PREMIUM TIMES, saying Mr Nnaji would be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for interrogation.
The reported arrest comes weeks after the Federal High Court reportedly granted the ICPC permission to arrest and investigate Nnaji over the allegations.
The court also authorised the anti-graft agency to declare him wanted through newspapers, social media platforms and other media channels after the commission alleged that he repeatedly failed to honour invitations for questioning.
According to the ICPC, its application to the court followed Nnaji’s alleged refusal to appear before investigators despite several invitations relating to the forgery allegations.
The case stems from a two-year investigation published by Premium Times in October last year, which alleged that Nnaji submitted forged University of Nigeria degree and National Youth Service Corps certificates during his ministerial screening and confirmation process in 2023.
The report alleged that the documents were presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Senate, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the State Security Service.
According to the publication, Nnaji later acknowledged that the University of Nigeria did not issue him the degree certificate in question, a development the newspaper said corroborated its investigation.Newspapers
The former minister had previously denied the existence of the court order authorising his arrest, dismissing the publication as a “media trial.”
However, on June 18, he reportedly filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn the arrest order.
As of the time of filing this report, the ICPC had not issued an official statement confirming the reported arrest, while Nnaji’s legal team had yet to publicly respond to the latest development.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, restored the bail it had earlier granted to activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore is facing a two-count cybercrime charge filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS) for calling President Bola Tinubu a “criminal” in a social media post.
Trial Justice Muhammed Umar, who had earlier granted the defendant bail on self-recognisance, on June 16 revoked the bail and issued a warrant for his arrest.
The order came after Sowore failed to appear before the court for the continuation of his trial, even though he wrote a letter explaining his absence and requesting a new date.
When proceedings resumed in the case on June 22, Justice Umar ordered the remand of the defendant in Kuje prison.
Dissatisfied with the actions the court took against him, Sowore—whose legal team had initially withdrawn from the case over alleged bias by the judge—secured a new lawyer, who promptly filed a motion to restore his bail and quash the arrest warrant.
When the case came up on Tuesday, Justice Umar held that he was minded to admit the defendant to bail.
However, the court listed some conditions that had to be met before he would be released from prison custody.
Aside from granting him bail to the tune of N200 million, the court held that the defendant must produce two sureties in like sum.
The court also ordered the defendant to surrender his international passport.
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Sowore, in the application he anchored on Sections 35(4), 36(1), and 66 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as Sections 169 and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, insisted that the orders the court made against him were unjust and unwarranted.
The defendant had, on December 2, 2025, pleaded not guilty to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The charges allege offences under Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b), and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
The offending posts, made on August 25, 2025, were in response to President Tinubu’s claim, made in Brazil, that his administration had ended corruption in Nigeria.
Angered by the posts, the DSS demanded that X Inc. (formerly Twitter) and Meta Platforms Inc. ban Sowore’s accounts and remove the posts.
The security agency also wrote to Sowore, asking him to delete the posts from all platforms.
Non-compliance with the request led to the charges.
The prosecution claims the defamatory posts were intended to cause a breakdown of law and order and to tarnish the president’s reputation.
Exhibits include printouts of the posts and the DSS letters.
X Inc. and Meta were initially co-defendants but were delisted in the amended charge.
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