The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Wednesday said the joint airstrikes carried out by Nigeria and United States of America on Christmas day successfullly hit two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves in the Bauni Forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto state.
According the military high command, intelligence reports had confirmed these sites as key assembly and staging points for foreign ISIS operatives infiltrating from the Sahel region, working alongside local affiliates to orchestrate large-scale attacks within Nigeria.
Director Defence Media Operations Major General Micheal Onoja disclosed Wednesday this while briefing journalists on successes recorded by the military different theatres of operations across the country in 2023.
” A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed via MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles, effectively neutralizing the targeted ISIS elements attempting to reach Nigeria via the Sahel corridor, ” he said.
The defence spokesperson said during the operation, debris from the munitions landed in Jabo within Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State and in Offa, Kwara State, near a hotel premises, but no civilian casualties were reported, and authorities swiftly secured the sites.
He said details of the casualties on the terrorists would be made available to Nigerians in due course.
He added that the DHQ reaffirms its steadfast commitment to combating and eradicating terrorist threats, especially from transnational networks aiming to compromise national sovereignty and security.
” This emphasizes the Armed Forces of Nigeria alignment with strategic partners and allies to promote border security, regional stability, and lasting peace. Nigerians are assured of the government’s firm grip on the national security framework, with a pledge to safeguard lives and property, while citizens are encouraged to stay calm, vigilant, and supportive as decisive measures persist against all terrorist entities,” he said.
General Onoja said within the year, troops in conjunction with other security stake holders neutralized over 20 top terrorists’ commanders, their lieutenants and their foot soldiers, including; Aminu Kanawa, Dan Bokolo, Bello Buba, Dan Inna, Halilu Sabubu, Abu Dan Shehu Jabbi, Dogo Bashiru Yellow, Abba Allai (aka Amirul Khalid of Alafa), Amir Abu Fatimah, Kingpin Auta, Abdul Jamilu, Salisu, Malla Jidda, Talha, Mallam Umar, Abu Yazeed, Kabiru Bebe, Maiwada, Mai Dada and Nwachi Eze (aka Onowu).
He said others include notorious bandit with the pseudo names; Dosso, Suleiman, Jagaban and Danja.
Speaking further, he said troop also arrested Four Thousand, Three Hundred and Seventy-Five (4,375) suspects, and received One Thousand, Six Hundred and Sixteen (1,616) surrendered terrorists and their family members.
He added that Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty-Six (2,336) kidnapped hostages were successfully rescued.
In the South- South, he said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE thwarted oil theft valued at Eight Billion, Nine Hundred and Eighteen Million, Six Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Six Naira (N8,918,647,206.00).
According to him, the breakdown includes the recovery of Sixteen Million, Six Hundred and Twenty Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Forty Two (16, 623,542) litres of stolen crude oil, One Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Five Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy Four (1,255,674) litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Four Hundred and Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty Four (407,734) litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and One Million, Five Hundred and Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty Three (1,508,823) litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air force (NAF) Wednesday said it recorded one of its most decisive operational years, neutralising no fewer than 2,351 terrorists through sustained, intelligence-driven air operations conducted across multiple operational theatres nationwide in 2025.
According to the NAF, the achievements were realised through the execution of 274 Air Interdiction (AI) missions, flown in 379 combat sorties, targeting terrorist strongholds, logistics hubs, training camps, and critical mobility corridors.
NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who disclosed this in a statement said the figures exclude hundreds of additional airpower missions involving Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), close air support to surface forces, and armed reconnaissance operations.
“The AI missions alone accumulated approximately 800 flight hours, underscoring the NAF’s sustained reach, persistence, and operational dominance, ” he said.
He said beyond the immediate neutralisation of terrorist fighters, the air interdiction campaign delivered decisive operational effects across key threat corridors.
He said, “Sustained precision strikes disrupted supply chains, severed mobility routes, and degraded leadership structures linking terrorist enclaves in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions, denying hostile elements freedom of movement and sanctuary.
“These effects enabled surface forces to advance, reclaim contested areas, and stabilise vulnerable communities, while significantly reducing the operational tempo and morale of terrorist and bandit groups.
“Overall, the campaign has resulted in a measurable contraction of hostile networks and a marked improvement in security across several previously threatened areas.”