ABUJA — The Nigerian Army and the Presidency have officially confirmed that the recent explosions reported in Sokoto State were part of a high-precision, collaborative counter-terrorism operation with the United States military.
The strikes, which occurred on December 25, 2025, targeted remote forest enclaves in North-West Nigeria. This marks the first major kinetic military action on Nigerian soil by US forces in recent years, following months of diplomatic tension and strategic recalibration between Abuja and Washington.
Targeting the “Lakurawa” Threat
Military intelligence indicates the primary targets were camps belonging to the Lakurawa, an ideological armed group that has recently gained a foothold in the North-West.
- The Operation: The strikes were described as “blanket precision shots” aimed at disrupting the command structure of the group.
- The Rationale: While the US administration framed the intervention as a response to perceived “religious persecution” in the region, the Nigerian military clarified that the targets were purely criminal and insurgent elements threatening the stability of Sokoto and Kebbi states.
Strategic Diplomacy vs. Sovereignty
The operation has sparked a massive debate within Nigeria regarding national sovereignty.
- Presidency’s Stance: President Bola Tinubu, through the State House, stated that “new approaches towards tackling insecurity” are necessary. He emphasized that the partnership is a mutual agreement to eliminate transnational threats.
- Public Reaction: Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have raised concerns over the “commander-in-chief” role, questioning why foreign strikes were conducted on Christmas Day without immediate prior notification to the public.
The “Trump Factor”
This military action follows the redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the Trump administration in late 2025. Analysts suggest that the airstrikes were a condition or a byproduct of high-level diplomatic “fact-finding missions” sent from Washington to Abuja in November.
Despite the controversy, the Nigerian Defence Space Administration (DSA) and the Army maintain that the strikes successfully neutralized several “high-value targets” and destroyed logistics bases that were being used to launch attacks on rural farming communities.
What’s Next?
Ground troops have been deployed to the Jabo and Tambuwal Local Government Areas to conduct “battle damage assessment” and secure the perimeter. The Federal Government has urged residents of Sokoto to remain calm, assuring them that the operations are targeted and designed to bring long-term peace to the Sahelian border.
