Military strikes conducted by the United States in December 2025 reportedly killed no fewer than 155 Lakurawa terrorists in Sokoto State, according to a report published by The New Humanitarian.

Akahi News gathered that the report also claimed that about 200 additional Lakurawa fighters were declared missing in the week following the operation, which was carried out in collaboration with Nigerian authorities.

Details of the Reported Strikes

According to The New Humanitarian, the strikes allegedly involved Tomahawk missiles launched from a US Navy destroyer stationed in the Gulf of Guinea. The missiles reportedly targeted three local government areas in Sokoto State — Isa, Tangaza, and Tambuwal.

While Tangaza is widely recognised as a core operational base for the Lakurawa group, analysts note that Tambuwal is not typically associated with organised armed violence. Isa, on the other hand, is believed to be a bandit stronghold largely under the influence of notorious warlord Bello Turji.

Although details surrounding the strike on Isa remain unclear, Turji is widely believed to have survived the attack. A Lakurawa camp in Tangaza, however, reportedly suffered devastating losses.

Two Missile Hits, Heavy Casualties

The report claimed that the operation involved two separate missile strikes. The first missile reportedly killed about 30 fighters. As surviving members regrouped to assess the damage and assist the wounded, a second missile allegedly struck the location.

In total, an estimated 155 Lakurawa fighters were said to have been killed, including 19 who were initially injured but later died from their wounds. A key Lakurawa commander, Dando Sibu, reportedly survived the attack after leaving the area less than five minutes before the second missile strike.

Fighters Missing, Economic Losses Recorded

In the aftermath of the strikes, the group was said to have recorded significant internal disarray. The New Humanitarian reported that about 200 Lakurawa fighters were missing in the week following the operation.

The group also reportedly lost nearly half of its cattle, a major source of revenue used to sustain its operations and logistics.

Continued Violence Despite Losses

Despite the heavy casualties, the Lakurawa were reportedly able to regroup quickly. On December 31, the group allegedly launched a major attack on Birnin Yauri in Kebbi State. The raid, which reportedly lasted several hours, claimed the lives of at least 21 civilians, with nine said to have been beheaded.

Focus on Lakurawa Alone

According to the report, the US operation focused specifically on the Lakurawa group and did not target other jihadist organisations operating in Nigeria, including Boko Haram and the al-Qaeda-linked Ansaru faction.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigerian government nor the US authorities had publicly confirmed or denied the details of the alleged operation.

Akahi News www.akahinews.org