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Tag: air strike

  • U.S. precision air strike in Sokoto approved by Tinubu – Information Minister

    U.S. precision air strike in Sokoto approved by Tinubu – Information Minister

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said the successfully conducted precision strike operations against two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves was approved by President Bola Tinubu.

    Idris said the operation that targeted terrorist within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State was in close coordination with the Government of the United States of America,

    This is contained in a statement issued by Idris in Abuja on Friday.

    “Intelligence confirmed that these locations were being used as assembly and staging grounds by foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region, in collaboration with local affiliates, to plan and execute large-scale terrorist attacks within Nigerian territory.

    “The precision strike operations were executed between 00:12 hours and 01:30 hours on Friday, December 26, 2025, following explicit approval by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu,

    “The operation was carried out under established command and control structures, with the full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and under the supervision of Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.

    “The strikes were launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea, after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance.

    “A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms, successfully neutralising the targeted ISIS elements attempting to penetrate Nigeria from the Sahel corridor,” Idris said.

    According to him, in the course of the operation, debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State, near the premises of a hotel.

    He added that no civilian casualties were recorded in both locations, and relevant authorities promptly secured the affected areas.

    “The Federal Government of Nigeria reiterates its unwavering resolve to confront, degrade, and eliminate terrorist threats, particularly those posed by transnational extremist networks seeking to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and security.

    “Nigeria remains fully aligned with its strategic partners and Friends of Nigeria in executing coordinated actions aimed at ensuring lasting peace, border security, and regional stability.

    “The Federal Government assures all Nigerians that it remains firmly in control of the national security architecture and is fully committed to the protection of lives and property.

    “Citizens are urged to remain calm and vigilant as decisive actions continue against all terrorist groups threatening the nation,” Idris added.

    (NAN)

  • Air strikes kill 12 terrorists, destroy storage base in Borno 

    Air strikes kill 12 terrorists, destroy storage base in Borno 

    Air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jet have killed 12 terrorists and destroyed their storage base at Parisu, a location near Sambisa Forest, in Borno State.

    The air bombardment was conducted on January 5 after the military observed movement of items suspected to be weapons and ammunition to the area. 

    NAF spokesperson, Air Vice Marshall Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement yesterday.

    He said the operation was part of efforts by the military to clear the remnant of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the Northeast.

    Gabkwet said the military had once cleared Parisu of terrorists, but the convergence of the hoodlums within the location raised suspicion of their intent and plan, hence the directive to strike the location.

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    He said: “The aftermath of the strikes led to a huge ball of flames from two adjacent spots within the vicinity, while some surviving terrorists were observed scampering for safety. 

    “Feedback also showed that 12 terrorists were killed in the strike and their logistics destroyed, thereby degrading their ability to attack soft targets and own troops.” 

    Gabkwet said similar strikes were also carried out at a location about 1.5km Southwest of Tumbun Agiri within the Tumbuns in the Lake Chad region on January 6.

    The NAF spokesperson said intelligence gathered over time revealed the continuous gathering of armed terrorists in pick-up vehicles and motorcycles, hence the go-ahead to attack the location. 

    He said: “The precision strikes on the location led to the destruction of vehicles, motorcycles as well as elimination of several terrorists. 

     “Prior to the aforementioned strikes, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, on an air reconnaissance mission on January 2, struck some opportunity targets at Tumbun Alura. 

    “The targets, which consisted of three canoes, were observed loaded with suspected Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). They were subsequently engaged with a huge explosion observed afterward. 

    “Similar successful strikes were also conducted at Tumbun Buwari and Sabon Tumbun on terrorists’ structures within the Lake Chad region.”

  • NAF air strikes kill terrorists in Borno

    NAF air strikes kill terrorists in Borno

    Air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF’) fighter jets have killed several Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Borno State.

    The air strikes also destroyed six terrorists’ gun trucks and 40 motorcycles at their hideout in Bukar Meram along the fringes of Lake Chad.

    NAF’ spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said this in a statement yesterday.

    He said a stream of airstrikes by NAF’ components of military operations across the country have continued to record successes.

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    He said: “In Borno State, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in the early hours of 14 October 2023, carried out air interdiction missions at a newly identified terrorists’ hideout at Bukar Meram, near the Lake Chad region.

    “The strikes became necessary after it was established that the recent relocation of terrorists from Suwa to Bukar Meram general area was with the likely intent for possible resurgence of attacks on ground troops and innocent civilians. 

    “Consequently, air strikes were authorised at the location in Bukar Meram to decimate the terrorists. Feedback received after the strikes revealed the expected outcome was achieved as several terrorists were neutralised, while over 40 motorcycles and six gun trucks were destroyed, thereby degrading their ability to attack ground troops as well as innocent Nigerians.”

  • Israel launches heavy air strike in Syria after F-16 crash

    Israel yesterday launched heavy air strikes in Syria and hit air defenses and Iranian targets in retaliation of its F-16 fighter jet that was downed by Syria.

    The Syrian army had claimed to have brought down an Israeli F-16 that crashed on Saturday in northern Israel in a major escalation of tension

    The Israeli military said early assessments indicated the jet had been shot down by Syrian fire, but this was still unconfirmed.

    Israel said later Saturday that it had attacked 12 additional targets, including three aerial defense batteries and four Iranian targets “that are part of Iran’s military establishment in Syria.”

    Israel said the F-16 crashed during a mission to strike Iranian drone installations in Syria.

    It said that it sent its jets into Syria after shooting down an Iranian drone over Israeli territory earlier on Saturday.

    The military alliance fighting in support of Assad denied any of its drones had entered Israeli air space.

    In a statement, it said Israel had targeted an air base in the Homs desert that is being used to fly drones in missions against Islamic State.

    Such “terrorist action” by Israel would be met with a “severe and serious response,” it said.

    The Israeli military spokesman said Israel did not seek escalation in the region, calling its action a “defensive effort triggered by an Iranian act of aggression”.

    Iran’s expanding clout during Syria’s nearly seven-year-long war, including deployments of Iran-backed forces near the Golan frontier, has raised alarm in Israel.

    This, it said, would act against any threat from its regional arch-enemy Tehran.

    Iranian and Iran-backed Shi’ite forces, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, have deployed widely in support of Assad.

    Iran’s military chief warned Israel last October against breaching Syrian airspace and territory.

    Israel’s air force has targeted Syrian military and Hezbollah targets in Syria on an almost regular basis, but its attacks on Saturday appeared to be the most intense yet.

    Referring to the downed Israeli F-16, an official in the pro-Assad alliance said a “message” had been delivered to Israel.

    “I do not believe matters will develop to a regional war,” the official said.

     

  • Libya air raids possible if UN talks fail – Italy

    Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni on Wednesday, said the protracted failure to install a national unity government in Libya might push the international community to bomb Islamic State strongholds in the country.

    In December 2015, Libyan lawmakers signed a UN-brokered peace agreement, including a unity government, aimed at ending years of instability in the oil-rich country.
    However several politicians and militias have rejected the deal.

    Gentiloni said his country supported the efforts of the national unity government of Fayez Serraj to take up office in Tripoli, but said this must happen within a reasonable amount of time.

    “Otherwise we risk that the approach will prevail of those who argue that stabilising Libya is a pipe-dream and that therefore we need to launch massive air raids against jihadist positions,’’ he added.

    Europe and the U.S. have been concerned for months about the expansion of the IS terrorist group in Libya, which has been in chaos since the 2011 NATO-backed ouster of long-time dictator Moamer Gaddafi.

    Italy, a former colonial power in Libya and the biggest buyer of its oil and gas, has a strong interest in pacifying the North African country – and also in stemming the flow of migrants that cross over from there to its shores.

    However, Gentiloni said a military only response to the Libyan crisis risks being counterproductive, pushing 200,000 local militias to join forces with 5,000 IS jihadists against a common Western enemy.

    .A report said that Italy remained opposed to deploying ground troops, but may cave in to pressure from the U.S. and offer small special units and fighter jets for possible operations in Libya.

    It added that the U.S. President Barack Obama may discuss Libya with European allies on the margins of Friday’s Nuclear Security Summit in Washington.

     

  • Air strike kills mother, child in Libya’s Derna

    An unidentified aircraft carried out an air strike on the Libyan city of Derna on Sunday, killing a mother and her child.

    Reports say that the air strike killed at least three people in the city.

    Air strikes by unidentified jets happen often in Libya, mostly against suspected Islamist militant targets.

    Other targets include fighters loyal to Islamic State who have been present in Derna and have a stronghold in the city of Sirte.

  • Canada to extend air strike camapaign against IS militants

    Canada will extend its air strike campaign against Islamic State (IS) into Syria, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced.

    “In our view, ISIL [IS] must cease to have any safe haven in Syria,” Mr Harper said in the House of Commons.

    Canada’s mission against IS will also be extended for one year, beyond October’s election and well into 2016.

    Opposition leaders have criticised Mr Harper for drawing Canada into a war with unclear objectives.

    The move means Canada will be the first Nato country, other than the United States, to strike inside Syria.

    IS controls land on both sides of the Iraq-Syria border – and the US expanded its air strike campaign against the militant group into Syria in September.

    It has been joined in similar strikes by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

    The Canadian prime minister announced the change as he asked for a vote on the measure in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

    “The government recognises that ISIL’s power base, indeed the so-called caliphate’s capital, is in Syria,” Mr Harper said, adding fighters and heavy equipment were moving across the border from Iraq for protection against strikes.

    Mr Harper said Canada would not seek the “express consent” of the Assad government.

    “Instead, we will work closely with our American and other allies, who have already been carrying out such operations against ISIL over Syria in recent months.”

    The measure is expected to pass as Mr Harper’s Conservative Party controls the House of Commons.

    Thomas Mulcair said Canada had “no place in this war”

    The major opposition parties voted against the initial approval of military force against IS.

    New Democrat Party leader Tom Mulcair told the Commons on Tuesday Canada had “no place in this war”, while Liberal leader Justin Trudeau said Mr Harper had been “steadily drawing Canada deeper into a war in Iraq”.