AFRICOM, Nigerian military validate precision airstrikes on foreign-linked terror cells in Sokoto

The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Nigerian military have officially confirmed the success of the Christmas Day counter-terrorism operation carried out in Sokoto State, stating that the midnight airstrikes achieved precise impacts that neutralised several foreign-linked terrorists without harming civilians or livestock.

The operation, executed in the early hours of December 25, 2025, targeted the Lakurawa group, a Sahel-based terror network described by U.S. officials as ISIS-linked fighters. The group had reportedly established strongholds across border communities in Sokoto and Kebbi States.
In a statement, AFRICOM disclosed that the strikes were conducted under the directives of the U.S. President and Secretary of Defense, in close coordination with Nigerian authorities. The mission, it said, formed part of broader efforts to dismantle violent extremist networks and safeguard civilian populations across the region.
“Our objective remains the disruption of violent extremist organisations wherever they operate,” AFRICOM stated, noting that the action aligns with ongoing regional counter-terrorism initiatives in West Africa.
Earlier reports by PRNigeria revealed that the operation involved an advanced, multi-platform strike system, including long-range combat drones launched from a U.S. facility, with additional support from naval strike assets operating from the Gulf of Guinea.
Footage released by the Pentagon reportedly showed at least one projectile launched from a U.S. naval platform, highlighting the coordinated and synchronised nature of the operation.
A senior defence intelligence source told PRNigeria that the mission relied on a continuous 24-hour Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) framework, linking U.S. personnel based in Ghana directly with Nigeria’s military intelligence command.
“The operation was carried out with extreme precision. Only verified terrorist fighters and logistics facilities were targeted,” the source said, emphasising that extensive safeguards were put in place to prevent collateral damage.
Nigerian military officials also confirmed that civilian settlements and livestock were deliberately excluded from the strike zone, in compliance with international rules of engagement.
Military sources further explained that the legality of the joint operation was grounded in the principles of consent and collective self-defence. They noted that Nigeria’s formal classification of bandits as terrorists provided the legal basis for international assistance.
According to the sources, Nigeria’s sovereign request for support satisfied the doctrine of intervention by invitation, while the depth and accuracy of the ISR process ensured adherence to the legal requirement of distinction, protecting the operation from claims of indiscriminate use of force.
In the aftermath of the airstrikes, the Nigerian military has moved quickly to consolidate its gains, reinforcing troop deployments in Gudu, Tangaza, and Binji Local Government Areas. The move is aimed at preventing fleeing fighters from regrouping and ensuring sustained security throughout the festive period.
Security officials described the operation as a major setback for cross-border terror activities and a significant boost to stability in Sokoto State and neighbouring frontier communities.
By PRNigeria