We’re Still Assessing Joint US–Nigeria Airstrikes In Sokoto – Defence Headquarters

The Defence Headquarters has stated that the Nigerian Armed Forces are still conducting a battle damage assessment of the recent United States strikes carried out in conjunction with their forces.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, briefing journalists on activities of the Nigerian Armed Forces in 2025 on Wednesday, said details of the operation would be made public after the assessment was concluded.

“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 U.S.–Nigeria strikes,” he said.

General Onoja said intelligence reports confirmed the presence of terrorists in the locations targeted before the strikes were conducted.

“You know, terrorists are ubiquitous, and we cannot confine them to one location. Of course, there is evidence to show that they are in the Sahel. We can also take it further, as intelligence reports have confirmed their presence in the Sahel region, including Sokoto, prior to the strikes being conducted against them. So yes, they were there because those strikes were based on intelligence reports.

They have confirmed their presence in those areas.

The fact that it was not publicised is sometimes for operational security reasons,” he said.

He added that the military High Command was monitoring possible terrorist movement outside the strike areas and was working with field commanders to prevent infiltration into communities.

Also, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops on internal operations arrested 4,375 terrorists, received 1,616 terrorists and families who surrendered and rescued 2,336 hostages across the country from January to December 2025.

Troops also destroyed 503 illegal oil refining sites and recovered stolen products worth N8,918,647,206.00.

The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, who disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists on military operations in the year 2025, said troops killed several terrorist leaders, their lieutenants and foot soldiers.

He named some of the major terrorist leaders eliminated to include: Aminu Kanawa, Dan Bokolo, Bello Buba, Dan Inna, Halilu Sabubu, Abu Dan Shehu Jabbi, Dogo Bashiru Yellow, Abba Allai (aka Amirul Khalid of Alafa), Amir Abu Fatimah, Kingpin Auta, Abdul Jamilu, Salisu, Malla Jidda, Talha, Mallam Umar, Abu Yazeed, Kabiru Bebe, Maiwada, Mai Dada and  Nwachi Eze (aka Onowu).

Others include notorious bandits with pseudonyms such as Dosso, Suleiman, Jagaban, and Danja, among others.

He said the briefing aims to inform strategic decision-making, enhance operational effectiveness and set clear priorities for the coming year.

According to him, the Military High Command’s focus is always on ensuring the safety of both citizens and personnel while maintaining its duty to inform the public about the efforts and successes guiding military actions.

“DHQ is aware of the public interest in the ongoing military operations, and we are committed to providing you with timely and accurate information about our activities across all theatres. Our forces are currently engaged in both kinetic and non-kinetic operations to combat specific threats, securing our citizens and providing a secure environment for economic activities to thrive,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says no fewer than 2,351 terrorists have been neutralised in 274 intelligence-driven air operations conducted across multiple operational theatres nationwide in 2025.

A statement by the NAF Spokesman, Air Cdre Ehimen Ejodame, said these achievements were realised in 379 combat sorties, targeting terrorist strongholds, logistics hubs, training camps, and critical mobility corridors.

He said the figures exclude hundreds of additional airpower missions involving Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), close air support to surface forces, and armed reconnaissance operations.

He explained that the air interdiction (AI) missions alone accumulated approximately 800 flight hours, underscoring the NAF’s sustained reach, persistence, and operational dominance.