Many terrorists were killed while their hideouts and vehicles were destroyed during United States airstrikes carried out in Sokoto State on December 25, footage of the operation has shown.
The video, which is yet to be declassified by the military, revealed three separate strikes on terrorist hideouts conducted between December 24 and 25, 2025. A secondary explosion was observed shortly after the first strike, indicating the presence of explosive materials at the targeted location.
The footage also captured suspected terrorists fleeing the area following the initial bombardment. These fleeing elements were subsequently engaged, while several vehicles were seen destroyed during the operation.
However, the exact number of terrorists killed or vehicles destroyed could not be independently determined from the footage alone. Military sources said a comprehensive battle damage assessment was required to establish the full impact of the strikes.
Earlier, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, confirmed that the assessment was ongoing and assured that details would be made public once concluded.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on December 31, 2025, Onoja said, “On the United States strikes in conjunction with Nigerian forces, there is a process of battle damage assessment. We are still in that process, and I can assure you that once that is completed, we will communicate to the public all our observations. In due course, we will give you all the information that you require from the U.S.–Nigeria strikes.”
Responding to questions on whether terrorists were present at the locations struck, Onoja said intelligence reports had confirmed their presence in the area prior to the operation.
U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier announced on Christmas Day that American forces carried out lethal strikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria. The Federal Government subsequently confirmed the operation, describing it as part of ongoing counterterrorism cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, despite claims in some quarters that the strikes achieved little.