Suspected Terrorists Flee Hideouts in Northern Nigeria After US Christmas Day Strikes.
Community leaders in northwestern Nigeria report a wave of movement among armed groups following precision US airstrikes on Christmas Day, which targeted suspected Islamic State-linked camps in Sokoto State.
President Donald Trump described the operation as a "powerful and deadly strike" against militants he accused of targeting Christians, calling it a long-overdue "Christmas present" to disrupt their operations. The US military confirmed multiple fatalities among the fighters, while Nigerian authorities emphasized the strikes were coordinated with President Bola Tinubu's government and hit forested hideouts used by groups like the Lakurawa, known for ties to broader jihadist networks.
In Tangaza and surrounding areas, locals noticed small groups of hooded figures abandoning familiar routes and camps shortly after the attacks. One community leader in Tangaza told reporters the blasts "sent a strong signal," prompting criminals to scatter and seek new ground. "There's relief here, but also caution—people worry these elements might slip into quieter communities," he said.Security officials in Sokoto have ramped up border patrols and joint operations to block escape paths, particularly toward neighboring Niger.
Intelligence assessments are underway to track the scale of displacement, with alerts issued to prevent infiltration into safer regions.Experts warn the strikes could lead to temporary dislocation, forcing militants to regroup elsewhere and potentially intensifying surveillance needs across the north.
While no civilian casualties were reported in the main targets, a separate impact in a peaceful farming village sparked panic, though officials clarified it was part of the broader operation.As monitoring continues, the strikes highlight ongoing US-Nigerian cooperation against extremism in the region, amid broader efforts to curb groups exploiting instability in the Sahel.
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