₦airaland Forum

By Solomon Odeniyi


Many terrorists were killed, while their hideouts and vehicles were destroyed during United States airstrikes carried out in Sokoto State on December 25, footage sighted by Sunday PUNCH has revealed.

The footage of the operation, which is yet to be declassified by the military but was sighted by our correspondent on Saturday, showed three separate strikes conducted on terrorist hideouts between December 24 and 25, 2025.

A secondary explosion was observed shortly after the first strike, suggesting the presence of explosive materials at the location.

The video also captured movements of suspected terrorists fleeing the area following the initial bombardment.

The 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 ascertained from the footage alone.

Military sources said a comprehensive battle damage assessment was required to determine the full impact of the strikes.

In an earlier confirmation, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, said the assessment was ongoing and assured that details would be made public once concluded.

Speaking while fielding questions from 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.

The United States President, Donald Trump, had earlier announced on Christmas Day that the American military conducted 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.

There were, however, arguments in some quarters that the operation achieved nothing

By Solomon Odeniyi


Many terrorists were killed, while their hideouts and vehicles were destroyed during United States airstrikes carried out in Sokoto State on December 25, footage sighted by Sunday PUNCH has revealed.

The footage of the operation, which is yet to be declassified by the military but was sighted by our correspondent on Saturday, showed three separate strikes conducted on terrorist hideouts between December 24 and 25, 2025.

A secondary explosion was observed shortly after the first strike, suggesting the presence of explosive materials at the location.

The video also captured movements of suspected terrorists fleeing the area following the initial bombardment.

The 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 ascertained from the footage alone.

Military sources said a comprehensive battle damage assessment was required to determine the full impact of the strikes.

In an earlier confirmation, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, said the assessment was ongoing and assured that details would be made public once concluded.

Speaking while fielding questions from 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.

The United States President, Donald Trump, had earlier announced on Christmas Day that the American military conducted 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.

There were, however, arguments in some quarters that the operation achieved nothing

dre11:
https://punchng.com/video-confirms-killing-of-terrorists-in-sokoto-us-strikes/

Nlfpmod

Putindbutt:
Lol, who are those trying to cover the asss of the deranged criminal in the white house. We all know the US mission failed woefully. That's why they have not been able to show a single picture. Meanwhile after hitting Venezuela, they were showing pictures everywhere.

An official of AFRICOM confirmed the US strikes in Nigeria failed .

CyynthiaKiss:
So why are you happy that US missed striking terrorists, if they actually missed their target ?


Are you a terrorist or a sympathiser ?

Putindbutt:
You're still asking mumu-ish questions?. The questions you should be asking are- why did US strikes succeed in Venezuela, Iran, but failed in Nigeria despite conducting several weeks of surveillance?.

You guys really think US love Nigerian Christians sooo much more than other Christians in Africa where terrorists are rampaging?.

A country that has not saved itself from daily mass shootings in his own backyard but want to save your own ass?..

US have been hitting terrorists in Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, everywhere YET NO SUCCESS. They had to run away from some of these countries. They even abadoned their multimillion dollar weapons to the terrorists in Afghanistan.

Why are you guys elevating Trump and USA to a god-like status?.

I don't want US to come to Nigeria and turn our country into proxy war. Everywhere US enters, they escalates terrorism and attracts more terrorists networks trying to fight back.
You guys crying on the shoulder of Trump are the real enemies of Nigeria. You're delusional by thinking Trump is the beginning and the end to all your problems.

My advice is for Trump to fast-track the delivery of weapons to us so that we can fight it by ourselves. Almost one year , they have been delaying 12 attack helicopters we ordered for. Let them stop delaying those weapons. That's why we're looking to Turkey and Italy as alternatives.

ruggedtimi:
Those 12 attack helicopters are what’s delaying the Nigerian Army from defeating Boko Haram/ISWAP?
If not for the U.S., ISIS would already be far stronger in the Middle East

Putindbutt:
With all the weapons and sophisticated equipments at the US disposal, name ONE terrorist the US has been able to defeat?. You think fighting terrorism is like fighting armed robbery?. We're talking about terrorists that have access to international financing, weapons and able to recruit people. Terrorists that are driven by ideology.

Putindbutt:
You're still asking mumu-ish questions?. The questions you should be asking are- why did US strikes succeed in Venezuela, Iran, but failed in Nigeria despite conducting several weeks of surveillance?.

You guys really think US love Nigerian Christians sooo much more than other Christians in Africa where terrorists are rampaging?.

A country that has not saved itself from daily mass shootings in his own backyard but want to save your own ass?..

US have been hitting terrorists in Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, everywhere YET NO SUCCESS. They had to run away from some of these countries. They even abadoned their multimillion dollar weapons to the terrorists in Afghanistan.

Why are you guys elevating Trump and USA to a god-like status?.

I don't want US to come to Nigeria and turn our country into proxy war. Everywhere US enters, they escalates terrorism and attracts more terrorists networks trying to fight back.
You guys crying on the shoulder of Trump are the real enemies of Nigeria. You're delusional by thinking Trump is the beginning and the end to all your problems.

My advice is for Trump to fast-track the delivery of weapons to us so that we can fight it by ourselves. Almost one year , they have been delaying 12 attack helicopters we ordered for. Let them stop delaying those weapons. That's why we're looking to Turkey and Italy as alternatives.

seunmsg:
A certain Racoon from the Peter Obi school of hatred and sad news claimed the FG deliberately gave wrong coordinates to the US military....

Racoon:
Donald Trump staffing hit the bull's eyes. No wonder Sultan of Sokoto and Sheikh Gumi have been acting weird lately. More strikes please Donald Trump.

Putindbutt:
Lol, who are those trying to cover the asss of the deranged criminal in the white house. We all know the US mission failed woefully. That's why they have not been able to show a single picture. Meanwhile after hitting Venezuela, they were showing pictures everywhere.

An official of AFRICOM confirmed the US strikes in Nigeria failed.

dominique:
How were they identified as terrorists? They've not even been in the country for up to a hour and they were able to identify where precisely the "terrorists" are. Really?

seunmsg:
This dude once claimed Nigeria gave US the wrong coordinates just to ensure they bomb the wrong targets. Now, he’s back to ask for more strikes.

seunmsg:
It was a joint operation with Nigeria military. There were a lot of intelligence sharing and joint reconnaissance surveillance before the strikes.

Putindbutt:
With all the weapons and sophisticated equipments at the US disposal, name ONE terrorist the US has been able to defeat?. You think fighting terrorism is like fighting armed robbery?. We're talking about terrorists that have access to international financing, weapons and able to recruit people. Terrorists that are driven by ideology.

seunmsg:
This dude once claimed Nigeria gave US the wrong coordinates just to ensure they bomb the wrong targets. Now, he’s back to ask for more strikes. Positivism and patriotism always wins. We thank God for the transformation

Putindbutt:
You're still asking mumu-ish questions?. The questions you should be asking are- why did US strikes succeed in Venezuela, Iran, but failed in Nigeria despite conducting several weeks of surveillance?.

You guys really think US love Nigerian Christians sooo much more than other Christians in Africa where terrorists are rampaging?.

A country that has not saved itself from daily mass shootings in his own backyard but want to save your own ass?..

US have been hitting terrorists in Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, everywhere YET NO SUCCESS. They had to run away from some of these countries. They even abadoned their multimillion dollar weapons to the terrorists in Afghanistan.

Why are you guys elevating Trump and USA to a god-like status?.

I don't want US to come to Nigeria and turn our country into proxy war. Everywhere US enters, they escalates terrorism and attracts more terrorists networks trying to fight back.
You guys crying on the shoulder of Trump are the real enemies of Nigeria. You're delusional by thinking Trump is the beginning and the end to all your problems.

My advice is for Trump to fast-track the delivery of weapons to us so that we can fight it by ourselves. Almost one year , they have been delaying 12 attack helicopters we ordered for. Let them stop delaying those weapons. That's why we're looking to Turkey and Italy as alternatives.

jmoore:
You should have said that terrorists are using fighter jets too.
Able to recruit people? So your military can't recruit?

The way you guys defend failure.

CyynthiaKiss:
US should supply you weapons ?
What of the ones that was recently supplied to you, and the ones you have received in the past including financial support, what have you done with it ?


US could not defeat terrorists that are being driven by ideology, it’s your government that’s capable of crushing them according to your narrative ?


Islamists sef !!