Fresh details have emerged on the much-talked-about United States military strikes in North West Nigeria, offering insight into how effective the operation was and who exactly was hit, amid growing public curiosity over the American intervention.
Military and security sources have confirmed that the U.S. Navy-led precision airstrikes, carried out in close coordination with the Nigerian Armed Forces, successfully neutralised confirmed terrorist fighters and their operational bases, with no evidence of civilian casualties.
According to senior military sources familiar with the operation, the strikes targeted high-value terrorist enclaves and logistics hubs linked to ISIS-affiliated cells operating across the Sokoto-Zamfara axis.
“This was a joint operation. Nigerian intelligence identified and verified the targets, while the U.S. executed the strikes with precision. What you are seeing now is the mop-up phase,” a military source disclosed.
What Was Hit — And Why It Mattered
Intelligence gathered ahead of the operation revealed a large-scale movement of armed fighters from the Sahel region, particularly Mali and Burkina Faso, into Nigeria. The groups were reportedly planning coordinated assaults on communities in Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger and Katsina states during the Christmas and New Year period.
Among the terror factions decimated were the Lakurawa and Jenni groups—both described by intelligence officials as ISIS-aligned cells that had been quietly building strength and stockpiling weapons.
Security sources say the operation disrupted their command structure, weapons supply lines and mobility, dealing what was described as a “significant operational blow” to their capacity to launch mass attacks.
How the Strike Was Carried Out
Information released by the United States Department of Defense indicated that the strike package included Tomahawk missiles launched from a U.S. naval platform operating along international maritime corridors near Ghana. These were supported by long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) used for real-time surveillance and target verification.
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Military officials stressed that the use of advanced surveillance and precision-guided weapons ensured maximum impact on terrorist targets while minimising collateral damage.
“Every target was verified. Surveillance assets were in place before, during and after the strike,” a defence source said.
No Civilian Casualties Recorded
Addressing widespread concerns among Nigerians, military authorities insisted that the operation was highly selective, with strikes executed only after multiple layers of intelligence confirmation.
So far, there have been no reports of civilian deaths or damage to civilian infrastructure, according to both Nigerian and allied military sources.
A Message to Terror Networks
Analysts say the operation sends a strong signal to transnational terror groups exploiting Nigeria’s porous borders, while also highlighting deepening security cooperation between Nigeria and its international partners.
With mop-up operations ongoing on the ground, security forces believe the strikes may have prevented large-scale attacks that could have claimed numerous lives during the festive season.
As Nigerians continue to debate the impact of the American intervention, one thing appears clear: the strikes were not symbolic. They were calculated, intelligence-driven, and aimed squarely at dismantling terror networks threatening lives in North West Nigeria.
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