Military airstrikes carried out by the United States in December 2025 reportedly killed no fewer than 155 Lakurawa terrorists in Sokoto State, according to a report by The New Humanitarian.
The publication also claimed that about 200 additional Lakurawa fighters were declared missing in the week following the operation.
According to the report, the strikes were conducted in collaboration with Nigerian authorities and involved Tomahawk missiles launched from a United States Navy destroyer stationed in the Gulf of Guinea.
The missiles reportedly targeted three local government areas in Sokoto State—Isa, Tangaza and Tambuwal. Of the three, Tangaza is widely regarded as a core stronghold of the Lakurawa group. Tambuwal is not commonly associated with organised armed violence, while Isa is known as a bandit enclave largely controlled by notorious kingpin Bello Turji.
Although details surrounding the strike on Isa remain unclear, Bello Turji is believed to have survived the attack. However, a Lakurawa camp in Tangaza was said to have suffered devastating losses.
The New Humanitarian reported that the operation involved two missile strikes. The first reportedly killed about 30 fighters.
As surviving members gathered to assess the damage and assist the wounded, a second missile struck the location, killing those who had assembled.
In total, an estimated 155 Lakurawa fighters were killed, including 19 who were initially injured but later died from their wounds.
A senior Lakurawa commander, Dando Sibu, reportedly escaped death after leaving the targeted location less than five minutes before the second missile was fired.
The report further stated that about 200 Lakurawa fighters were unaccounted for in the days following the strikes. The group was also said to have lost nearly half of its cattle, a key source of funding for its operations.
Despite the losses, the Lakurawa reportedly launched a major attack on Birnin Yauri town in Kebbi State on December 31. The hours-long assault left at least 21 civilians dead, with nine of the victims reportedly beheaded.
The report noted that the US operation specifically targeted Lakurawa fighters and did not affect other jihadist groups operating in the region, including Boko Haram and the al-Qaeda-linked Ansaru.
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