Video footage has confirmed that several terrorists were killed during United States airstrikes carried out in parts of Sokoto State in late December 2025.

The footage, sighted by journalists, shows multiple air attacks on suspected terrorist hideouts between December 24 and 25. Three separate strikes were carried out on locations believed to be used by armed groups operating in the area.

A secondary explosion was seen shortly after one of the strikes, suggesting that weapons or explosive materials were stored at the site. The video also captured suspected terrorists attempting to flee after the initial bombardment, while several vehicles were destroyed during follow-up strikes.

Although the footage clearly shows damage to hideouts and vehicles, the exact number of terrorists killed could not be confirmed from the video alone. Military sources said a full battle damage assessment was still required to determine the overall impact of the operation.

Earlier, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, confirmed that the assessment process was ongoing. Speaking to journalists in Abuja on December 31, 2025, he said details of the joint operation involving US and Nigerian forces would be released once the review was completed.

Onoja also stated that intelligence reports had confirmed the presence of terrorists at the locations targeted before the airstrikes were carried out.

The strikes were first announced on Christmas Day by US President Donald Trump, who said American forces had launched deadly attacks on Islamic State-linked targets in north-western Nigeria. The Federal Government later confirmed the operation, describing it as part of continued counterterrorism cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.

Despite claims in some quarters that the strikes were ineffective, the newly surfaced video appears to support official statements that the operation resulted in the killing of terrorists and the destruction of their facilities in Sokoto State.