Military sources say recent U.S. Navy precision strikes on terrorist positions in North West Nigeria were carefully executed and resulted in the elimination of confirmed terrorist fighters and their logistics hubs.
The operation, carried out in coordination with the Nigerian military, was described as highly successful. A military source said Nigerian forces identified and provided the targets, while U.S. forces conducted the strikes. “It was a successful joint operation. We provided the targets, they conducted the strikes. Right now, we are mopping up,” the source said.
According to the sources, the strikes followed actionable intelligence indicating a large movement of armed terrorists and bandits from Sahelian routes in Mali and Burkina Faso. The groups were reportedly planning coordinated attacks on communities in Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger and Katsina states.
The targeted cells were said to include ISIS-linked groups such as the Lakurawa and Jenni factions, which intelligence reports indicated had mobilised fighters from neighbouring countries ahead of the Christmas and New Year period.
Information released by the Pentagon showed that at least one Tomahawk missile was launched from a U.S. naval platform operating in international waters near Ghana. Long-range unmanned aerial systems were also deployed to support the strikes and improve targeting accuracy.
Military officials stressed that the operation was designed to minimise civilian harm, noting that extensive surveillance and intelligence systems guided the strikes to ensure precision.
The operation highlights deepening cooperation between Nigeria and international partners in efforts to counter transnational terrorism and prevent large-scale attacks on vulnerable communities in the North West.
