Overview
- AFRICOM says Christmas Day strikes in Sokoto targeted ISIS-linked camps, with an initial assessment that multiple militants were killed.
- Nigerian officials reported explicit presidential authorization and Armed Forces involvement, naming Bauni forest in Tangaza as the target area.
- U.S. and Nigerian accounts described Tomahawk launches from a Navy vessel and GPS‑guided munitions from Reaper drones during the pre‑dawn operation.
- Debris from expended munitions was documented in Jabo (Sokoto) and Offa (Kwara), with Nigeria reporting no civilian casualties and one group alleging collateral damage.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled potential follow‑on actions, and analysts tracked resumed ISR flights, as experts questioned striking predominantly Muslim Sokoto and pointed to Lakurawa as a likely target.