Some indications, the terrorists in northern Nigeria are relocating following missile strikes carried out by the United States on Thursday night.

Credible community leaders told journalists that they observed unusual movements, with hoodlums migrating in small groups after the Christmas Day attacks.

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the American military had carried out deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in northwestern Nigeria. The Federal Government confirmed the operation, saying Nigeria provided support and that the strikes targeted locations being used by terrorists.

No casualties were recorded at the two locations hit by the missiles. In Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, a missile struck farmland, while some buildings were affected in Offa, Kwara State. Officials of Tangaza Local Government Area in Sokoto State also confirmed that additional strikes were carried out on suspected hideouts of the Lakurawa armed group in parts of the Sokoto axis.

Although no deaths were reported, several residents sustained injuries and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, particularly in Offa.

Influx of armed groups in Benue

The Chairman of the Traditional Council in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, Daniel Abomtse, raised concerns over the influx of armed herders into some communities following the US strikes.

Speaking on Saturday, Abomtse said he noticed the presence of armed herders in Gwer West and neighbouring Agatu Local Government Area. According to him, the groups appeared to be fleeing from Sokoto and moving towards coastal areas with sophisticated weapons while grazing openly.

While commending the US operation, the traditional ruler called on President Trump to extend similar actions to Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Niger and Plateau states, describing the strikes as a major step toward tackling insecurity that has plagued Nigeria for over a decade.

Efforts to confirm these claims from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to the police spokesperson were not responded to at the time of filing the report.

Terrorist camps disrupted in Sokoto

Security sources and residents said the Christmas Day attacks disrupted terrorist operations and forced them out of their hideouts. Community leaders in Tangaza, Gudu and parts of Illela Local Government Areas of Sokoto State reported signs of dislocation and movement among armed groups following the strikes.

According to residents who spoke anonymously, some bandits were seen moving in smaller groups toward remote forest corridors, while others were believed to be attempting to cross into neighbouring border communities to evade surveillance.

A community leader in Tangaza said the airstrikes sent a strong warning and forced criminal elements to abandon familiar routes and camps, adding that residents felt cautious but relieved that the hideouts were targeted.

Sokoto State government officials said intelligence assessments were ongoing to track the direction and scale of terrorist movements. Security agencies were placed on alert, with border patrols and joint operations intensified to block escape routes.

Security expert Bashar Umar said surveillance was being strengthened across flashpoints, especially in border local governments, to curb further movement of terrorists.

A United States congressman, Riley Moore, said the strikes prevented potential deadly Christmas attacks in Nigeria. Writing on X, Moore noted that Christians had been killed during previous Christmas seasons and credited the strikes for averting similar violence this year.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that the US has resumed surveillance operations over the Sambisa Forest in Borno State. A Sahel-focused terrorism tracker revealed that flight-tracking data showed a Gulfstream V aircraft, commonly used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, operating over the are

Security analyst and Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Consulting, Kabiru Adamu, warned that fleeing terrorists may attempt to blend into law-abiding communities or seek support from international terror networks.

He said the groups could exploit propaganda, including portraying the strikes as attacks on Muslims, to attract sympathy, funding and new recruits. Adamu urged Nigerian security agencies to enhance surveillance to prevent infiltration of safer communities.

Also speaking, Professor Tar Usman of the Nigerian Defence Academy said the US military action would likely disrupt terrorist planning and instil fear, though he cautioned that it would not immediately end terrorism.

According to him, insurgents might temporarily go underground or adopt new tactics, stressing the need for vigilance by intelligence agencies.

A top government source confirmed that Nigeria and the United States are collaborating to end killings, banditry and kidnapping, adding that security measures were being put in place to flush out terrorists believed to be fleeing toward Kogi and neighbouring states.