Fresh footage has revealed that several terrorists were neutralised, while their camps and vehicles were destroyed during United States airstrikes carried out in Sokoto State on December 25.
The video, sighted by Sunday PUNCH on Saturday but yet to be officially declassified by the military, showed three separate airstrikes targeting terrorist hideouts between December 24 and 25, 2025.
Shortly after the first strike, a secondary explosion was seen, indicating that explosive materials were likely stored at the targeted location.
The footage also captured suspected terrorists attempting to flee the area following the initial bombardment.
The fleeing individuals were later engaged, while multiple vehicles were visibly destroyed during the operation.
However, the exact number of terrorists killed and the total damage inflicted could not be independently confirmed from the video alone.
Military sources explained that a detailed battle damage assessment was necessary to fully determine the outcome of the strikes.
Earlier, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, confirmed that the assessment process was still ongoing and assured that comprehensive details would be released once completed.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on December 31, 2025, Onoja said the strikes were conducted jointly by United States and Nigerian forces, adding that findings from the assessment would be communicated to the public in due course.
He also confirmed that intelligence reports had established the presence of terrorists at the targeted locations prior to the operation.
It will be recalled that U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Christmas Day that American forces had carried out deadly strikes against Islamic State positions in north-western Nigeria.
The Federal Government later confirmed the airstrikes, describing them as part of sustained counterterrorism collaboration between Nigeria and the United States.
Despite the confirmation, some critics have argued that the operation yielded little or no significant results.
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