Top military sources have confirmed that recent U.S. Navy precision strikes on terrorist targets in North West Nigeria were highly successful, with only confirmed terrorist combatants and their logistics hubs neutralised.
The operation, carried out in joint coordination with the Nigerian military, was based on intelligence provided by Nigerian security forces, while the strikes were executed by the U.S. military.
“It was a successful joint operation with the U.S. military. We provided the targets, they conducted the strikes. Right now, we are mopping up,” a senior military source disclosed.
According to the sources, actionable intelligence obtained ahead of the operation revealed a massive convergence of armed terrorists and bandits moving into Nigeria through Sahelian corridors from Mali and Burkina Faso. The groups were reportedly planning coordinated attacks on communities across Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, and Katsina states during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The targets included ISIS-linked terror cells, notably the Lakurawa and Jenni groups, which intelligence reports confirmed had mobilised fighters from Mali and Burkina Faso for the planned assaults.
Information released by the Pentagon indicated that at least one Tomahawk missile was launched from a U.S. naval platform operating within international sea corridors near Ghana. The strike package was further supported by advanced long-range unmanned aerial systems to ensure precision targeting and minimise collateral damage.
Addressing concerns over civilian casualties, military sources stressed that the operation was carefully planned and highly selective, supported by extensive surveillance architecture to guide the strikes.
They maintained that only verified terrorist elements and their logistical infrastructure were engaged during the operation.
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