BREAKING: "Who Exactly was Hit By US Airstrike on December 24?" One Month After, Nigerians Still Worried, Yet to Identify Any Casualty

American Air Strikes in Nigeria Raise Questions Over Targets 

Confusion and controversy have followed surprise United States air strikes carried out in north-west Nigeria, as conflicting accounts from Washington and Abuja leave unanswered questions about who or what was actually targeted.

The strikes occurred overnight between Thursday, December 24, and Friday, December 25, 2025, in Sokoto State. Both the US and Nigerian governments said the operation targeted militants linked to the Islamic State, but details regarding the specific targets, casualties, and operational command have remained unclear more than a month later.

US President Donald Trump announced the attack on social media before Nigerian authorities made any formal statement, describing the strikes as successful operations against Islamic State targets in Nigeria. In a subsequent interview, Trump said he personally delayed the strikes so they could be carried out on Christmas Day, a remark that triggered outrage among many Nigerians who viewed the timing as politically symbolic rather than militarily necessary.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, later insisted the strikes were a joint operation approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that Nigerian intelligence was provided and that authorization was duly granted. However, he acknowledged that Washington released its announcement prematurely, creating diplomatic tension and public confusion.

Opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), criticised the federal government for allowing a foreign power to announce military action on Nigerian soil ahead of local authorities, warning that such actions undermine national sovereignty and public trust.

Further controversy arose from inconsistent explanations about the targets. Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, initially said the strikes hit Islamic State elements attempting to infiltrate Nigeria from the Sahel region. Later, presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala said the operation targeted Islamic State fighters collaborating with the Lakurawa jihadist group and local bandit gangs in Sokoto State. While casualties were confirmed, no figures or identities were released.

Security analysts have questioned the choice of Sokoto State, noting that jihadist activity in Nigeria has historically been concentrated in the north-east. Reports that debris from the strikes landed in nearby villages heightened concerns about civilian safety, though authorities did not confirm civilian casualties.

Uncertainty also surrounds the weapons used. While US footage suggested missile launches from naval platforms, Nigerian officials said the attack involved both maritime platforms in the Gulf of Guinea and MQ-9 Reaper drones, without clarifying the apparent contradiction.

The strikes come amid strained Nigeria–US relations and broader debate over the framing of Nigeria’s security crisis. Nigerian officials and analysts have rejected narratives portraying the violence as religious persecution, arguing instead that it is driven by criminality, poverty, and weak governance.

Despite assurances from both governments that further cooperation may continue, many Nigerians remain unconvinced. Analysts warn that the lack of transparency surrounding the operation risks eroding public confidence and may inadvertently fuel extremist propaganda.

As questions persist over who was hit, whether civilians were harmed, and what strategic message the strikes were meant to send, clarity remains elusive.