‘A Unified Front Against Terror’ — DHQ Says Christmas Day Airstrikes Prove Unshakable Resolve of Nigeria and Global Allies to Decimate ISIS Affiliate

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has hailed the recent military intervention in the Northwest as a defining moment in the war against insurgency, stating that the successful elimination of terrorist cells on Christmas Day underscores the combined “kinetic might” of Nigeria and its global allies.

In a press briefing held in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General ME Onoja, responded to the high-intensity airstrikes that targeted the Lakurawa group (an affiliate of the Islamic State Sahel Province) in the borderlands of Sokoto State. The DHQ framed the strikes not just as a tactical victory, but as a symbolic warning to extremist groups that the international community stands firmly behind Nigeria.

“The precision strikes witnessed over the last 24 hours are a testament to the fact that Nigeria is not alone in this fight,” Major General Onoja stated. “This operation reflects the resolve of the Nigerian Armed Forces and our allies to ensure that no inch of our territory becomes a sanctuary for radical ideologies. We are showing the world that our cooperation is not just on paper it is active, it is deadly, and it is effective.”

The military confirmed that the strikes utilized advanced satellite targeting and long-range cruise missiles capabilities often associated with the United States’ AFRICOM—to hit camps that were previously difficult to reach due to the dense terrain and porous borders with the Niger Republic.

Addressing concerns about foreign military footprints, the DHQ was quick to emphasize that the Chief of Defence Staff, General OO Oluyede, remains in full command of the broader theater of operations. “Our allies provide the technical ‘eyes in the sky’ and additional fire support, but the strategic objectives are defined by the Nigerian state. This is a partnership of respect and shared goals,” Onoja added.

Preliminary battle damage assessments (BDA) indicate that the strikes hit key weapon caches and “taxation centers” where the Lakurawa militants had been extorting local farmers. The DHQ noted that the neutralization of these targets has significantly degraded the group’s ability to launch coordinated attacks on civilian populations in the short term.

As the nation celebrates the Boxing Day holiday, the military has urged residents of Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states to remain vigilant. While the airstrikes have dealt a heavy blow to the insurgents, ground troops are currently conducting “mop-up” operations to ensure that any fleeing remnants of the terror group are apprehended.

“The message is clear,” the statement concluded. “If you take up arms against the Nigerian people, you are not just fighting an army; you are fighting a global resolve that will not rest until peace is restored.”