Very reliable military sources have told Vanguard that "between 10 and 15 Tomahawk missiles were launched by the United States Navy on terrorists bases at the high hills and mountainous terrain of Tangaza and other targets in Sokoto State on Christmas Day.
The missiles were launched from USS Paul Ignatius.
"The missiles did not pass through other countries. They were launched directly from international waters, over Nigeria's states to Sokoto.
"Between 10 and 15 missiles were fired and the targets hit. The assistance of any other country was not required," military sources told Vanguard.
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"The range of the Tomahawk missile was 2,500 kilometres. As a result of the joint cooperation and clearance by Nigeria, international waters off Nigeria were accessed and used, which enabled the missiles to fly through Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Oyo to Sokoto.
Each Tomahawk missile carried5 solid fuel rocket boosters
"Each missile was fitted with five solid fuel rocket boosters due to the range of target.
As the missile flew past some states, some of the expended boosters were discarded like the one that fell in Offa, Kwara State. So, the notion that Kwara State was targeted is incorrect.
"Terrorists in Tangaza were bombed and decimated in the true sense of it. Completely destroyed.
"The other areas were not targeted. They were safe areas used to discharge boosters, hence no civilian or friendly casualties in Sokoto.
"It was a successful joint operation between Nigeria with the US Military. We provided the targets, they conducted the strikes," a highly placed source said.
Cost of a Tomahawk Missile
Vanguard also gathered that each Tomahawk missile costs between $1milllion and $5million depending on payload.
Meanwhile, the Tomahawk is manufactured by General Dynamics and some other companies. It is a long range cruise missile used by the USA and Royal Navy of United Kingdom, and soon the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and Canada will have them.
It has been in service since 1981 and is mostly known for its ground attack roles, capable of striking via VRU (Vertical Launch Recovery Unit) on heavily defended targets in enemy territory such as aircraft bunkers, factories, Sub Vehicles and entire military complexes with its WAD Nuclear warhead, (Not a nuclear bomb but a dispenser of sub-munitions).
It is mainly launched from Naval vessels, surface ships and submarines. They can also be launched from the torpedo tubes of submarines.
Tomahawks have multiple variants including an anti-ship variant.
The missile is propelled by F107 Williams turbo engine.
They are fitted with a solid rocket boosters and these boosters detach from the missile once expelled.
The missile knows where it is going because it relies on GPS, Toucan, Dismac (Digital Scene Area Mapping Correlation which used stored images of camera from surface satellite system) and INS (Initial Navigation System). These systems enable extreme precision.
Ochogwu, Ejiofor back partnership, urge caution
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, said the US strike aligns with Nigeria's broader counter terrorism objectives, stressing that terrorism remains a global challenge no country can tackle alone.
He said: "The war on terrorism is a global phenomenon involving nation states and non state armed actors. It is irregular warfare used by smaller and less powerful elements to disrupt and challenge stability.
"The recent partnership between the US and Nigeria, which allowed the US to strike (Lakurawa), ISIS and ISWAP elements on our soil, aligns with our efforts to prevent and neutralise these threats."
Dr. Ochogwu noted that the strike signals a shift in the level of engagement against terrorist groups, highlighting the growing role of advanced technology and intelligence sharing.
"It is very clear that the level of engagement has changed. Advanced technological innovation and human intelligence is at play, and we are most likely beginning to see the end of these threats in our society," he said.
On whether partnering with foreign military powers was wise, Dr. Ochogwu said Nigeria's actions were in line with global counter terrorism practice.
Security expert and retired Director with the Department of State Services, DSS, Chief Mike Ejiofor said that the recent US military strike in Sokoto marked the start of a bold new era in Nigeria's fight against bandits and terrorists.
Chief Ejiofor stated this in an interview with Vanguard, described the United States President, Donald Trump as a no-nonsense man.
"I wasn't surprised with the US strike because in my earlier interview when Trump made that threat, I highlighted that Trump doesn't joke when he says something," Ejiofor told Saturday Vanguard.
Ejiofor, who was initially worried Trump might act unilaterally, praised the federal government's swift coordination.
"Luckily, the federal government delegation led by the NSA met with the US government officials where far-reaching decisions were taken but not made public for strategic reasons, I guess," he said.
The strike targeted bandits in Sokoto - a hotspot amid rising kidnappings in the Northwest - rather than Boko Haram strongholds like Borno. Ejiofor linked it to fresh intelligence on cross-border movements from Sokoto into Kebbi and Zamfara.
Ejiofor dismissed sovereignty concerns raised by some persons, noting Nigeria's active partnership.
"There is no way it can compromise Nigeria's sovereignty when the Nigeria government is working with them," he asserted. "The federal government has said yes we are working with the American government. So I don't think there's any compromise on sovereignty."
Operation an opportunity to decisively deal with global terrorism -- Retired Generals
A retired General who commanded Operation Lafiya Dole said: "The collaboration is an opportunity by both countries to decisively deal with global terrorism, though no one should misrepresent the operation to fan the embers of religious bigotry.
"We must treat criminals and terrorists as dishonorable members of our community. The good thing is that it wasn't a unilateral action by the US. Yes, it is a dicey play but time will tell. Our choices now are limited.
"It is a positive development. War against terror is a global effort just as terrorists are also having global affiliation and reach.
"The Armed Forces of Nigeria needs to seize the opportunity to ramp up its ground operations to flush the key terror elements out. These opportunities are very rare because this is not a primary theatre of our allies especially the US.
"Dangerous narratives will flood the media space for and against these military operations. Evil internal and external actors must not be allowed to have a breathing space to control the narrative.
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"Whatever the outcome, there is a seismic shift in counter insurgency operations. I strongly support efforts to urgently stem the tide of killings whether Muslims or Christians, they are Nigerians.
"We need state police to tackle local problems before it becomes a national calamity as we are experiencing now. It is, therefore, imperative for the Tinubu and Trump's administrations abhorrence for radical terrorist groups, to collaboratively blunt the expansion and then defeat of terrorism in a strategic manner."
A retired General said: "There's no doubt that Nigeria needs help. The attacks have been going on for far too long and it's like nothing can be done about it.
"They, terrorists move about so freely brandishing dangerous weapons in the open and the state which should have the monopoly of violence appear helpless. That has to stop.
"But the government has its work cut out now. The Federal Government of Nigeria should immediately make deliberate efforts to curb misrepresentations.
'Let no one say, oh it's a Christian agenda, far from it. We must treat criminals and terrorists as dishonorable members of our community. This is no time for religious bigotry.
"Surveillance and visible security should be increased in public places, key points, critical infrastructure, entertainment facilities in short any place attracting huge crowds should be closely monitored.
A retired Rear Admiral simply said, "Since the Defence Headquarters has confirmed that it was a joint operation, then it is a welcome collaboration.
"Truth is that we have always coordinated with them but the situation in the country presently is combustible. Let's see how this collaboration go."
