Video footage sighted by The PUNCH appears to confirm that several terrorists were killed and their hideouts and vehicles destroyed during United States airstrikes carried out in Sokoto State between December 24 and 25, 2025, showing a deepening military cooperation in counterterrorism efforts amid persistent insecurity in northwest Nigeria.
The footage, which has not been officially declassified by military authorities but was reviewed by a PUNCH correspondent on Saturday, shows three separate strikes on suspected terrorist locations. Secondary explosions recorded after the initial bombardments suggested the presence of explosive materials at the targeted sites.
The video also captured suspected terrorists fleeing the areas following the bombardments, while several vehicles were seen destroyed.
Military sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of ongoing assessments, said a comprehensive battle damage assessment is required to determine the full impact of the strikes, including accurate counts of casualties and material destruction.
The exact number of terrorists killed has not been independently verified from the footage alone.
The strikes were first publicly acknowledged when United States President Donald Trump announced on Christmas Day that US forces had conducted lethal strikes against Islamic State‑linked militants in north‑western Nigeria.
The US Africa Command described the strikes as occurring with coordination from Nigerian authorities, with the principal aim of targeting Islamic State terrorists, a group Washington alleges has been responsible for violent attacks, including killings of civilians in parts of the country.
In a separate development, the Federal Government of Nigeria confirmed airstrikes against terrorist targets in the northwest, citing intelligence cooperation with the United States and ongoing collaboration in counter‑terrorism operations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the joint efforts reflect structured security cooperation involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination, stressing respect for Nigerian sovereignty in all operations.
Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, earlier said that the assessment of the strikes was ongoing and that once complete, the Nigerian government would provide further details on the operation’s outcomes.
He affirmed that preliminary intelligence reports had confirmed the presence of terrorists in the targeted areas prior to the strikes.
The reports of confirmed killings and destruction come amid broader discussions about Nigeria’s security partnerships with international allies and the increasing intensification of counter‑extremism activities in the region.
Analysts say such cooperation is part of efforts to dismantle violent extremist infrastructure but also note the need for transparent after‑action reviews and clear communication with affected local communities.
As official assessments continue, the video evidence has sparked public interest and debate over the efficacy and implications of foreign military involvement in Nigeria’s internal security challenges, particularly in the northwest where militant and extremist activities have fluctuated in recent years.
