Sokoto confirms joint Nigeria-US airstrike on terrorist hideouts, reports no civilian casualties

The Sokoto State Government has officially confirmed a joint military airstrike conducted by Nigerian and United States forces against terrorist hideouts in the state, stating no civilians were harmed during the operation.

The strike targeted locations in the Tangaza Local Government Area, a border region frequently affected by terrorism and banditry. In a statement issued on Friday by the Director-General of Media and Publicity, Abubakar Bawa, the government described the operation as carefully executed and precisely aimed at criminal elements.

The airstrike, carried out earlier in the week, is part of broader efforts to dismantle terrorist networks within Sokoto and its border zones.

The government stated the joint security action aimed to disrupt the movement, coordination, and operational capacity of armed groups terrorizing North-West communities.

An official assessment of the strike’s impact is still pending, as reports from the joint operations are awaited.

Authorities also addressed resident concerns over suspicious objects discovered near Jabo town in Tambuwal LGA.

Investigations are ongoing, with Nigerian and US military experts analyzing the situation. The government clarified that the nature of these objects has not yet been determined.

Reassuring the public, the statement emphasized that no civilian casualties were reported in either the Tangaza airstrike or the Jabo incident.

It highlighted that intelligence-led operations are being conducted with stringent safety measures.

The Sokoto State Government expressed strong support for international military cooperation, noting the Nigeria-US partnership is vital in combating terrorism and cross-border crime.

It reiterated its commitment to supporting security agencies, detailing the provision of logistics, equipment, and operational support over the past two years to enhance safety.

Residents were urged to remain calm, cooperate with security forces by providing credible information, and to pray for the success of personnel working to restore peace.

This joint operation occurs amid intensified military campaigns across Nigeria’s North-West, where security forces are escalating pressure on armed groups involved in terrorism, banditry, and cross-border criminal activities.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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