The United States has carried out missile strikes on suspected terrorist locations in Sokoto State, marking the first reported direct U.S. military action in Nigeria following President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
High-level security sources told Saturday Vanguard that the strikes were carried out late Thursday night, with about 16 missiles reportedly launched at identified terrorist targets. The operation is said to have hit three major terrorist camps across parts of Sokoto State.
One of the missiles reportedly landed in Bargini village, located in Jabo Ward of Tambuwal Local Government Area. Residents of the area said the explosion was loud and caused panic, with many initially unsure of the source of the blast.
Confirming the incident, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing Tambuwal, Bashar Jabo, said an explosion did occur in Jabo town. However, he stressed that no casualties were recorded and no residential buildings were damaged.
According to local accounts, the missile struck farmland on the outskirts of the community, destroying crops but sparing homes and lives. Security sources maintained that the operation was a precision strike aimed solely at terrorist enclaves and logistics hubs.
The development comes amid heightened international attention on insecurity in northwestern Nigeria, where terrorist groups and armed bandits have continued to operate despite ongoing military efforts. U.S. authorities have yet to issue an official public statement on the operation, but Nigerian security sources described the strike as coordinated and intelligence-driven.
Residents in the affected communities remain calm, though security has reportedly been tightened as authorities continue to assess the impact of the strikes and monitor the situation.
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