The Sokoto State Government has officially responded to the recent military operation in its territory, confirming that a joint airstrike was conducted by the Nigerian military in collaboration with United States forces.
Official Confirmation of the Joint Operation
After days of silence, the administration of Governor Ahmad Aliyu addressed the incident through a statement issued on Friday, December 26, 2025. The Director-General of Media and Publicity for the Government House in Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa, released the details to the public. The operation specifically targeted terrorist enclaves located within the Tangaza Local Government Area of the state.
This action is reported to be a component of continuous efforts to dismantle and weaken the networks of terrorists and bandits operating in Sokoto State and across Nigeria's volatile northwestern borders. The state government emphasized that preliminary reports indicated no civilian casualties were recorded in the affected communities of Tangaza and Jabo.
Awaiting Full Damage Assessment
The precise impact and outcome of the aerial bombardment remain undetermined as of the time of the statement. Assessment reports from the Joint Operations are still being awaited by authorities. The government statement clarified that the full extent of the operation's success against the terrorist targets cannot be confirmed until these military evaluations are completed and analyzed.
In a related development, the government also disclosed that investigations are ongoing concerning the discovery of suspicious objects near Jabo town in the Tambuwal Local Government Area. The nature and origin of these objects have not been immediately explained.
"The circumstances surrounding the objects found in a location near Jabo town could not be immediately explained, as the outcome of analysis by Nigeria–US military authorities is being awaited," the statement noted. This suggests a separate but potentially connected security issue that is under active scrutiny by the joint military teams.
A Coordinated Security Response
The confirmation of this joint strike underscores the increasing complexity of security challenges in Nigeria's northwest and highlights the level of international cooperation being employed to address them. The involvement of US assets points to a significant, coordinated effort to degrade the capabilities of armed groups that have plagued the region with violence, kidnapping, and instability for years.
Residents and security observers are now keenly awaiting the detailed assessment from the joint operations command, which will provide clarity on the strategic gains of this aerial campaign. The Sokoto State Government's statement serves as the first official acknowledgment, aiming to manage public information and reassure citizens while operations continue.
