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US Airstrikes: Assessment Confirms Extensive Damage In Tangaza, As Military Recovers Missile Boosters In Sokoto, Kebbi, Offa
Post-airstrike assessments has shown extensive destruction within a forest enclave in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State following joint air operations by the United States forces, which also led to the recovery of missile-related debris across multiple locations, THISDAY can exclusively report.
THISDAY gathered that the joint post-strike exploitation was carried out by troops of 8 Division, Sector 2 of Operation Fasan Yamma, and Combat Intelligence Brigade (CIB) VII at first light on December 26, 2025 in Bauni Forest, around Waria and Alkassim villages in Tangaza LGA.
Military sources said the post-airstrike exploitation revealed that the forested areas around the points of impact were completely burnt and destroyed with the target persons completely decimated.
The assessment also confirmed the effectiveness of the strikes, with no reports of civilian casualties recorded during or after the operation.
In a related post-operation incident, troops of 1 Brigade, Counter Terrorism Battalion 12, deployed at Forward Operating Base Jabo in Kebbi State, reportedly heard the sound of an aircraft overhead, followed shortly by an explosion approximately one kilometre away.
Acting immediately, the troops conducted a patrol to Kajiji town in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State. At the location, soldiers recovered items described by military sources as suspected drone-like engine parts and other debris at what was believed to be a crash site.
The sources confirmed that no human casualties were recorded in connection with the incident.
Further post-strike patrols on December 26 led to the discovery of another object in Kajiji village where military sources identified the object as a canister suspected to have been dropped along the flight path of the missiles used during the Tangaza airstrike.
The area was immediately cordoned off to prevent access, pending a detailed assessment by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.
With technical clarification from military engineers, THISDAY gathered that preliminary findings by the Equipment and Mechanical Engineers (EME) team established that the canisters recovered were fuel boosters from Tomahawk missiles used during the airstrikes.
According to the sources, these boosters are designed to be jettisoned automatically after take-off.
The sources explained that analysis showed the boosters should normally fall off several kilometres after launch. They added that a total of 16 missiles were fired during the operation, meaning that 16 fuel boosters would have been discharged.
However, as of the latest assessment, only three boosters have been reported recovered, two in Sokoto State and one in Offa.
Military sources further noted that the projected landing areas of such boosters are usually calculated before take-off.
They said it had been suggested that the appropriate authorities interfaced with partner forces to obtain the projected drop-off coordinates of the jettisoned boosters to enable timely recovery.
The sources warned that each booster weighed approximately 300 kilograms and was capable of penetrating soft ground to a depth of up to two metres.
While the risk was considered limited, they noted that uncontrolled landings could cause collateral damage, as reportedly observed in Offa.
Military authorities who further spoke under anonymity said investigations were ongoing and findings from the post-airstrike assessments would be used to enhance coordination, safety measures and operational synergy in future joint operations.