This screen grab from a video posted by the US Department of Defense on their X account on December 25, 2025, shows a missile launch from a naval vessel as President Donald Trump says US forces conducted “powerful and deadly” strikes against Islamic State militants in northwestern Nigeria on December 25, 2025, weeks after he warned against any systemic assault on Christians in the country. The United States on Friday confirmed that its strikes against jihadist groups in northern Nigeria were launched with the west African country’s approval.
The Defence Headquarters has revealed that a damage assessment of the recent United States strikes conducted in conjunction with Nigerian forces is still ongoing.
Speaking while fielding questions from journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja stated that the military would release its findings publicly after the assessment was completed.
The clarification followed widespread debate in the country on whether the strike was successful or not.
“On the United States strikes in conjunction with Nigerian forces, there is a process of battle damage assessment. We are still in that process, and I can assure you that once that is completed, we will communicate to the public all our observations. In due course, we will give you all the information that you require from the U.S.–Nigeria strikes,” Onoja said.
United States President, Donald Trump, announced on Christmas Day that the American military conducted lethal strikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria.
The Federal Government confirmed the joint effort, describing it as part of ongoing counterterrorism cooperation.
Responding to questions on whether terrorists were present at the bombed locations, Onoja said intelligence reports confirmed their presence in the area before the strikes.
“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. So we can also take it further given the proximity of the Sahel to Sokoto. Intelligence reports have also confirmed their presence there before those strikes were 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.
According to him, the armed forces are also engaging civilians to support security agencies with timely information.
He also said the military was monitoring the movement of terrorists outside the targeted locations and coordinating with field commanders to prevent their infiltration into communities.
“We are monitoring them, and we are doing the necessary things, communicating with all the force commanders in the areas that we have identified as threat areas, so that they will prevent them from assimilating into the community and causing further havoc. And as time goes on, you will hear about all the activities that we are doing. You know, it’s important that while we are acting, we keep it confidential. With time, I will call you here and brief you about all the things that we are doing.
“Also, we are mobilising the civilian population so that they will be vigilant and give information to the military and other security agencies, so that any issue of insecurity or any movement of these terrorists can be acted on quickly.
“The truth is that security or insecurity can only be addressed through the cooperation of every member of society. It’s called the whole-of-society approach,” he said.
Commenting on criticisms of the joint strikes, the defence spokesman said it was not the role of the Armed Forces to respond to every public statement and that relevant agencies were responsible for addressing such concerns.
“Every agency has its functions. It is not for the Armed Forces to focus on what some people in society do not agree with in our activities. Ours is to focus on our kinetic operations and, as much as possible, conduct non-kinetic operations when necessary. I believe that there are relevant agencies who are tasked to consider such statements if they are against or for the country. And I believe that they are doing so,” he said.
Onoja also appealed to persons who may have taken possession of ammunition or fragments from the operation to return them to security agencies for safe recovery.
“We don’t expect anybody to take away those materials… they should return them to the military or security divisions so that we can disarm those things before they cause greater damage,” he said.
He assured the public that the armed forces would continue operations against terrorist groups into the new year.
