Christmas Air War: How U.S. Drones Flying From Ghana, Backed By AFRICOM–Nigeria Intel Deal, Obliterated Terror Camps In Sokoto

This post has already been read at least 11301 times!

A covert but devastating counter-terrorism operation has revealed how long-range United States combat drones, operating from a U.S. military facility in Ghana and supported by naval assets in the Gulf of Guinea, struck and dismantled major terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State, following an intelligence-led security collaboration between Nigeria and the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).

Multiple high-level security sources confirmed that the strikes were the culmination of weeks of joint intelligence work between Nigerian military intelligence and U.S. forces, built around a continuous Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) architecture that tracked terror movements across the Sahel into north-west Nigeria.

The operation, executed with surgical precision, reportedly neutralised key terror logistics hubs and armed concentrations without impacting civilian settlements or livelihoods, underscoring a deliberate effort to avoid collateral damage even as decisive force was applied.

How the Strikes Were Executed

According to defence sources, advanced long-endurance unmanned aerial systems were deployed as part of a coordinated strike package that also included naval strike capabilities positioned offshore in the Gulf of Guinea. Pentagon-released footage later showed at least one projectile launched from a U.S. naval platform, confirming the multi-domain nature of the operation.

A senior intelligence officer, who spoke under condition of anonymity, disclosed that the strikes were guided by a 24-hour real-time intelligence loop linking U.S. personnel in Ghana with Nigeria’s military command.

“This was not a random or rushed operation,” the source said. “Targets were confirmed repeatedly. Only verified terrorist fighters and their operational infrastructure were engaged. Civilian communities, farmlands, and livestock were deliberately excluded.”

Terror Cells with Foreign Links Targeted

Security briefings revealed that the targets were foreign-linked terror cells, including factions associated with the Lakurawa and Jenni groups, believed to be coordinating with fighters moving from Burkina Faso and Mali.

Intercepted communications reportedly exposed what officials described as a “mass convergence” of armed elements exploiting Sahelian corridors to infiltrate Nigeria, with plans to unleash coordinated attacks during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Analysts say the scale of the build-up raised alarm bells about a wider regional escalation, prompting urgent action to disrupt the networks before they could strike.

Legal Backing and Strategic Calculations

Officials pointed out that Nigeria’s recent formal classification of armed bandit groups as terrorists provided the legal foundation for international military assistance involving kinetic operations.

From Washington’s perspective, sources say the mission fits into a broader strategic push to contain transnational jihadist movements and dismantle cross-border terror supply chains threatening West Africa.

The strikes, security officials confirmed, followed high-level diplomatic and military coordination, with full clearance of target zones prior to drone deployment.

Christmas Day Confirmations from Abuja and Washington

Official confirmation of the Christmas Day strikes later came from both capitals. The U.S. Africa Command described the mission as a joint counter-terrorism effort carried out at the request of the Nigerian government, while Nigerian authorities acknowledged that real-time intelligence sharing enabled precise engagements on multiple terrorist locations.

In a strongly worded statement attributed to U.S. President Donald J. Trump, the airstrikes were praised as a direct response to sustained attacks by ISIS-linked elements in north-west Nigeria.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria,” the statement read, asserting that the operation was aimed at halting the killing of innocent civilians and warning that further action would follow if violence continued.

U.S. Defence Secretary also fueled speculation of sustained pressure on the terror networks, posting tersely on social media: “More to come…”

Nigeria Sets the Record Straight on Sovereignty

Amid public debate, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs moved swiftly to clarify the circumstances surrounding the operation, stressing that the strikes were neither a surprise action nor an infringement on national authority.

In an official briefing, the Ministry stated that the operation was initiated by Nigerian authorities and executed within the country’s established security framework, with Nigeria retaining full control from planning through execution.

“Nigeria maintains complete command over all security activities within its borders,” the statement said, adding that international partners only provide support that aligns strictly with national priorities and legal structures.

The Ministry emphasised that the collaboration forms part of a wider strategy to degrade extremist networks, sever their supply routes, and reduce threats to civilians in vulnerable communities, while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to working with trusted global partners against insecurity and cross-border crime.

Military Reinforcement on the Ground

Following the airstrikes, Nigerian armed forces intensified deployments across border local government areas including Gudu, Tangaza, and Binji, aiming to block escape routes, prevent regrouping, and reassure communities throughout the festive season.

Security analysts say the operation has dealt a significant blow to terror plans targeting Sokoto and surrounding areas, disrupting what could have been one of the most coordinated holiday attacks in recent years.

While the full impact of the strikes is still being assessed, officials and experts agree on one point: the combination of intelligence-driven precision, international cooperation, and firm legal grounding marks a notable escalation in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism posture — and sends a clear warning to armed groups operating across the region.

StreetReporters.ng

This post has already been read at least 11301 times!