The origin of Weirdis photography is Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
December 27, 2025
3 minute read
Flight data trackers show a plane conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations around the Sambisa Forest, a known haven for Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province militants.
In the Christmas Day attack, US Bin carried out similar missions in Sokoto, Yobe and Lake Chad areas.
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tugar told the BBC that there was room for further action regarding airstrikes in the joint Nigeria-US operation.
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New monitoring suggests additional attacks are possible, and an attack to the northeast is not the time.
President Trump ordered U.S. military action against Islamic extremists in November, amid claims by Nigerian authorities to protect Christians and say all faiths are targeted by terrorists.
US intervention changes security dynamics in northern Nigeria, and e-fit leaves militants to fend for themselves. Groups may operate across borders, creating a risk of regional spread.
Analysts question whether airstrikes alone can solve Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
The Boko Haram insurgency since 2009 has caused tens of thousands of pipos in damage and displaced millions of people in northeastern Nigeria, despite government efforts.
Were the previous air strikes accomplished?
Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State
Authorities in Tangaza local government area of Sokoto state in northwestern Nigeria told the BBC that US airstrikes hit the Rakulawa militant camp.
Local government chairman Isa Salih Bashir said airstrikes “hit some Rakrawa terrorist camps.”
Many fighters are said to have died, but the number of fighters is unknown.
Bashir also told the BBC that Nigerian police and military personnel were unable to access the affected areas due to heavy fires following the strike.
Sokoto State borders Niger Republic. Niger’s border police said they had reported seeing Laclawa fighter jets rioting in the area where the airstrikes took place.
Relatively new Islamic extremist groups such as Laklawa have been carrying out attacks in parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states in northwestern Nigeria and across the border in Niger.
Witness Umar Jabo told the BBC that the bombing of Jabo happened on Christmas night, and Bin Tinku said there was no plane crash.
“Everyone Bin Tink don’t say airplanes. They’ll crash in the fields.”
Images on social media show Pipo Way Day showing a field on fire in the aftermath of the attack.
Umar Jabo denies that the US killed IS fighters: “Thanks to Jabo, we live in peace and there is no conflict with Christians.”
Tajudeen Alabi, a former Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Security, briefed the BBC on the incident.
Alabi said he heard three sounds on Dec. 25 around 9 p.m.
Di’s former special assistant said that several buildings were destroyed in Di’s attack, with no casualties reported at this time, but some Pipo were injured.
“At least about five structures were destroyed in various locations. We found some items from a popular hotel. We’re definitely calling it the Offa Central Hotel. It’s like a bomb.”
