Unreleased Video Confirms U.S. Christmas Day Airstrikes in Sokoto Killed Multiple Terrorists

Newly obtained footage appears to confirm that U.S. airstrikes conducted on Christmas Day targeted terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State, resulting in multiple deaths and the destruction of vehicles and infrastructure. The video, not yet declassified by the military, was reviewed by SK Blog on Saturday.

The clips show three separate strikes carried out between December 24 and 25, 2025, on locations identified as militant bases. A secondary explosion observed shortly after one of the strikes suggests that stored explosives were hit during the operation.

The footage also captures suspected militants fleeing the area following the initial bombardment. Subsequent engagement is visible, and several vehicles in the strike zones appear destroyed. However, the video alone does not provide definitive numbers for casualties or material damage.

Military sources emphasized that a full battle damage assessment is necessary to establish the operation’s overall impact. Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, told journalists in Abuja on December 31, 2025, that the assessment is ongoing and that the findings will be released once complete.

Prior intelligence reportedly confirmed the presence of armed groups in the targeted areas. The strikes were part of coordinated counterterrorism efforts between the United States and Nigeria. President Donald Trump announced the operation on Christmas Day, describing it as a targeted action against Islamic State-affiliated militants in northwestern Nigeria.

The Federal Government has confirmed the strikes and said they form part of ongoing U.S.–Nigeria counterterrorism cooperation. Independent verification of casualties and damage remains limited, and some observers have questioned the broader impact of the operation on security in the region.