DHQ Confirms Ongoing Assessment After US–Nigeria Airstrikes

…Confirms Deaths of 20 Notorious Bandit Leaders

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that battle damage assessment remains ongoing following recent joint airstrikes conducted by United States forces in collaboration with the Nigerian military against identified terrorist targets, stressing that full operational details will be released after the assessment process is concluded.

The U.S airstrike in Nigeria was conducted on 25 December 2025, with precision missile and drone strikes taking place in Sokoto State, a region in the north‑west.

Briefing defence correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, said the Armed Forces were still evaluating the outcome of the coordinated strikes as part of established military procedures.

He explained that the assessment would determine the impact of the operation before any comprehensive disclosure is made to the public.

“There is a process of battle damage assessment. We are still in that process, and once it is completed, we will communicate our observations to the public.

“In due course, we will give you all the information you require from the US–Nigeria strikes,” Onoja said.

He stated that intelligence assessments conducted before the strikes confirmed the presence of terrorist elements at the targeted locations, noting that the decision not to publicise the operation ahead of time was guided by the need to protect operational integrity and prevent intelligence compromise.

“Terrorists are ubiquitous; we cannot confine them to one location.

“Intelligence reports confirmed their presence in those areas prior to the strikes being conducted. The fact that it was not publicised was for operational security reasons,” he stated.

Onoja disclosed that the military has intensified surveillance to track any movement of terrorists fleeing the affected locations and has strengthened coordination with commanders on the ground to prevent infiltration into surrounding communities.

He said troops were actively engaging community structures to ensure early warning and intelligence sharing that could avert retaliatory attacks.

“We are communicating with all force commanders in identified threat areas to ensure terrorists do not assimilate into communities and cause further havoc,” he said.

He urged members of the public who may come across ammunition fragments or materials linked to the airstrikes to surrender such items to security agencies for proper handling, warning that unexploded or damaged ordnance could pose serious safety risks.

Addressing criticisms surrounding the joint operation, Onoja maintained that the Armed Forces were not obligated to respond to every public commentary, explaining that such engagements fall within the responsibilities of other government institutions.

On the issue of suicide bombings, he revealed that intelligence-led operations had recently disrupted planned attacks, including the arrest of a suspected bomber earlier in the week, which he said helped to dismantle terrorist logistics and forestall further violence.

He noted that the military would continue proactive intelligence-driven operations to prevent similar incidents.

Reviewing military operations across the country’s six geo-political zones over the outgoing year, Onoja said sustained offensives led to the neutralisation of at least 20 terrorist commanders alongside numerous fighters.

He identified those killed to include senior figures such as Aminu Kanawa, Dan Bokolo, Bello Buba, Dan Inna, Halilu Sabubu, Abu Dan Shehu Jabbi, Dogo Bashiru Yellow, Abba Allai—also known as Amirul Khalid of Alafa—Amir Abu Fatimah, Auta, Abdul Jamilu, Salisu, Malla Jidda, Talha, Mallam Umar, Abu Yazeed, Kabiru Bebe, Maiwada, Mai Dada and Nwachi Eze, also known as Onowu, as well as other notorious bandits identified by aliases including Dosso, Suleiman, Jagaban and Danja.

He said nationwide operations during the period resulted in the arrest of “4,375 suspects, the surrender of 1,616 terrorists and their family members, and the rescue of 2,336 kidnapped victims”, reflecting what he described as sustained pressure on terrorist networks.

Focusing on the North-East, Onoja disclosed that troops arrested 1,323 suspects, including collaborators, gunrunners, sympathisers and spies, while rescuing 498 abducted persons.

He acknowledged that although Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province fighters had been significantly weakened, they continued to stage sporadic attacks and deploy improvised explosive devices.

“Nonetheless, the military remains vigilant and will continue to refine its tactics, techniques, and procedures to counter these threats,” he said.

He added that operations during the period led to the recovery of arms, ammunition, vehicles, and other equipment, alongside about ₦32m believed to be linked to criminal and terrorist activities.

He said troops also destroyed several terrorist camps and hideouts, which contributed to improved security conditions and the gradual return of economic and agricultural activities in previously affected communities.

In the North-West, Onoja said ongoing operations resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists, the arrest of 669 suspects and the rescue of 966 kidnapped victims.

He disclosed that troops recovered weapons, ammunition, equipment and substantial sums of money intended for ransom payments and other illicit purposes.

He further said the military deployed modern combat platforms and intelligence assets, including Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicles to strengthen operational effectiveness and sustain pressure on armed groups in the region.