At a Glance
- US launched 16 GPS-guided missiles and MQ-9 Reaper drones at an alleged IS camp in northwest Nigeria.
- Villagers in Jabo saw a bright red sky, homes shake, and fire, but no casualties were reported.
- Nigerian officials described the attack as a “new phase of an old conflict” and called for more strikes.
- Why it matters: Residents fear further attacks and uncertainty over safety.
On Thursday night, a US airstrike on an alleged IS camp in Nigeria shook the village of Jabo, sending a red glow across the sky and igniting fears among villagers.
The Strike
The attack, launched from the Gulf of Guinea after midnight on Dec 26 2025, used 16 GPS-guided missiles and MQ-9 Reaper drones. The targets were described as staging grounds for foreign IS fighters from the Sahel.
- Assets
- 16 GPS-guided missiles
- MQ-9 Reaper drones
- Launch location: Gulf of Guinea
Impact on Villagers
Villagers reported no casualties but described shaking, fire, and debris. Abubakar Sani, a resident on the village edge, said:
> “Our rooms began to shake, and then fire broke out. The Nigerian government should take appropriate measures to protect us as citizens. We have never experienced anything like this before.”
A 17-year-old bride-to-be, Balira Sa’idu, shared her anxiety:
> “I am supposed to be thinking about my wedding, but right now I am panicking. The strike has changed everything. My family is afraid, and I don’t even know if it is safe to continue with the wedding plan in Jabo.”
Government Response
Nigerian spokesperson Mohammed Idris said the strike targeted areas used as staging grounds by foreign IS fighters. Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar called it a new phase of an old conflict and warned that more strikes could follow.
Security analyst Bulama Bukarti noted that transparency could calm residents:
> “The more opaque the governments are, the more panic there will be on the ground, and that is what will elevate tensions.”
| Asset | Quantity |
|---|---|
| GPS-guided missiles | 16 |
| MQ-9 Reaper drones | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- The US used 16 missiles and drones to strike an alleged IS camp.
- Villagers in Jabo experienced shaking, fire, and debris but no casualties.
- Nigerian officials view the attack as part of an ongoing conflict and anticipate further strikes.
By Gavin U. Stonebridge from News Of Austin
