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Highly trustworthy military sources have informed Vanguard that “between 10 and 15 Tomahawk missiles were fired by the U.S. Navy at terrorist facilities located in the elevated areas and rugged landscapes of Tangaza, along with other locations in Sokoto State on Christmas Day.”

The projectiles were fired from the USS Paul Ignatius.

The missiles did not go through other nations. They were fired directly from international waters, over Nigeria’s states towards Sokoto.

“Between 10 and 15 projectiles were launched, with all targets being struck. No support from other nations was necessary,” military officials said to Vanguard.

The Tomahawk missile had a range of 2,500 kilometers. Due to the collaborative efforts and authorization from Nigeria, international waters near Nigeria were utilized, allowing the missiles to pass through Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Oyo, and reach Sokoto.

Each Tomahawk missile is equipped with five solid fuel rocket boosters.

Each missile was equipped with five solid-fuel rocket boosters because of the distance to the target.

As the missile passed through certain areas, some of the used boosters were jettisoned, such as the one that landed in Offa, Kwara State. Therefore, the idea that Kwara State was the target is wrong.

Extremists in Tangaza were bombed and wiped out completely. Totally annihilated.

The remaining regions were not the focus. They served as secure zones for booster deployment, therefore no civilian or allied losses occurred in Sokoto.

“A successful collaborative effort between Nigeria and the US military took place. We identified the targets, and they carried out the attacks,” said a senior official.

Price of a Tomahawk Missile

Vanguard also found out that each Tomahawk missile ranges in cost from $1 million to $5 million, depending on its payload.

In the meantime, the Tomahawk is produced by General Dynamics and other firms. It is a long-range cruise missile utilized by the United States and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, with the Netherlands, Australia, Japan, and Canada set to acquire them soon.

It has been in operation since 1981 and is primarily recognized for its ground attack missions, able to target highly protected locations within enemy territory, including aircraft hangars, factories, Sub Vehicles, and full military installations, using the VRU (Vertical Launch Recovery Unit) with its WAD warhead, which is not a nuclear bomb but rather a delivery system for smaller munitions.

It is primarily deployed from naval vessels, surface ships, and submarines. They can also be fired from submarine torpedo tubes.

Tomahawks come in various types, including one designed for attacking ships.

The missile is powered by an F107 Williams turbo engine.

They are equipped with solid rocket motors, and these motors separate from the missile after firing.

The missile is aware of its destination as it utilizes GPS, Toucan, Dismac (Digital Scene Area Mapping Correlation, which employs stored images captured by a surface satellite system), and INS (Inertial Navigation System). These technologies ensure remarkable accuracy.

Ochogwu, Ejiofor rekindle partnership, call for caution

In the meantime, the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, stated that the US attack is in line with Nigeria’s overall counter-terrorism goals, emphasizing that terrorism continues to be a worldwide issue that no single nation can address independently.

He stated: “The fight against terrorism is a worldwide issue that includes both sovereign nations and non-state military groups. It represents unconventional warfare employed by weaker entities to destabilize and oppose existing order.”

The new collaboration between the United States and Nigeria, which enabled the US to target (Lakurawa), ISIS, and ISWAP groups on our territory, supports our initiatives to prevent and eliminate these dangers.

Dr. Ochogwu observed that the strike indicates a change in the degree of involvement in combating terrorist organizations, emphasizing the increasing importance of cutting-edge technology and information exchange.

“It is evident that the degree of involvement has undergone a transformation. Cutting-edge technological advancements combined with human intellect are now in effect, and it seems we are on the verge of witnessing the conclusion of these dangers within our community,” he stated.

Regarding the question of whether collaborating with foreign military forces was prudent, Dr. Ochogwu stated that Nigeria’s actions aligned with international counter-terrorism strategies.

A security specialist and former Director from the Department of State Services, DSS, Chief Mike Ejiofor stated that the recent US military attack in Sokoto signifies the beginning of a courageous new chapter in Nigeria’s battle against kidnappers and extremists.

Chief Ejiofor mentioned during an interview with Vanguard that the United States President, Donald Trump, is a straightforward individual.

“I wasn’t taken aback by the US strike because during my previous interview, when Trump issued that threat, I pointed out that Trump doesn’t make empty statements,” Ejiofor told Saturday Vanguard.

Ejiofor, who initially feared Trump could act alone, commended the federal government’s quick collaboration.

“Fortunately, the federal government delegation headed by the NSA met with U.S. government officials, where significant decisions were made but kept confidential for strategic reasons, I suppose,” he stated.

The strike focused on bandits in Sokoto — a region experiencing increased kidnappings in the Northwest — rather than areas controlled by Boko Haram such as Borno. Ejiofor connected it to new intelligence regarding cross-border activities from Sokoto into Kebbi and Zamfara.

Ejiofor overlooked the sovereignty issues raised by certain individuals, highlighting Nigeria’s ongoing collaboration.

There’s no possibility it could affect Nigeria’s sovereignty since the Nigerian government is collaborating with them,” he stated. “The federal government has confirmed that they are working with the American government. Therefore, I don’t believe there is any infringement on sovereignty.

Operation an opportunity to decisively deal with global terrorism — Retired Generals

A former General who led Operation Lafiya Dole stated: “The partnership presents a chance for both nations to effectively combat global terrorism, although no one should distort the operation to ignite the flames of religious prejudice.”

“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 Nigerian Armed Forces should take advantage of the current situation to increase its land-based operations and remove major terrorist groups. Such chances are uncommon since this is not a main area of focus for our allies, particularly the US.

Perilous stories will overwhelm the media landscape, supporting and opposing these military actions. Malicious internal and external forces should not be permitted to gain influence over the narrative.

Regardless of the result, there has been a major change in counter-insurgency activities. I strongly back initiatives to quickly stop the wave of killings, as both Muslims and Christians are Nigerians.

We require state police to address local issues before they escalate into a national crisis, as we are witnessing today. Therefore, it is crucial for the administrations of Tinubu and Trump, which share a strong opposition to radical terrorist groups, to work together in a strategic way to hinder the growth and ultimately defeat terrorism.

A former General stated, “There’s no question that Nigeria requires assistance. The assaults have persisted for an excessive period, and it feels as though there’s nothing that can be done about it.”

They, the terrorists, move around freely, carrying dangerous weapons openly, while the state, which should have control over violence, seems powerless. This must come to an end.

But the government now has a challenging task ahead. The Federal Government of Nigeria should promptly take deliberate steps to prevent misinformation.

Let no one claim, ‘it’s a Christian agenda,’ on the contrary. We should view criminals and terrorists as dishonorable elements within our society. Now is not the time for religious prejudice.

Public areas, important locations, vital infrastructure, and entertainment venues—essentially any place that draws large crowds—should have enhanced surveillance and visible security measures in place.

A former Rear Admiral merely stated, “As the Defence Headquarters has verified that it was a joint effort, it is a positive partnership.”

Truth is that we have consistently worked together with them, but the current situation in the country is volatile. Let’s observe how this partnership unfolds.

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