*As FG Confirms US Military Launched Airstrikes Against ISIS Targets With Nigeria’s Full Cooperation
Residents of Sokoto Communities Confirm Drone Attacks
Explosions reportedly occurred in the ancient town of Offa, Kwara State, late Thursday night, Christmas Day, destroying property and causing fear and tension in the area.
The correspondent gathered that the explosions took place at two different locations around midnight. Eyewitnesses said several buildings were affected near the Eid praying ground, while a second explosion occurred near Solid Worth Hotel, about a five-minute walk from the first location.
It was also reported that an undetonated explosive device was later found at the second site, prompting security agencies to cordon off the affected areas. As of the time of this report, the source and nature of the explosions have not been officially confirmed.
Confirming the incident, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of Offa Local Government, Abiola Azeez Babatunde, said the council is aware of reports circulating about a suspected ordnance-related incident near the Offa Eid praying ground.
In a statement, the local government said security agencies have secured the scene and commenced investigations. The statement also noted that the chairman of Offa Local Government, Hon. Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, visited the affected areas shortly after the incident to assess the situation.
The council chairman urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding, advising the public to rely on credible and official sources of information to avoid panic.
The Offa Local Government assured residents of its commitment to their safety and said it will continue to work closely with relevant authorities until investigations are concluded.
The explosions occurred just hours after United States President Donald Trump announced U.S. airstrikes against ISIS targets in parts of north-west Nigeria, including Sokoto State, on Christmas Day.
However, police authorities have yet to establish any link between the Offa incident and the U.S. strikes.
As of this morning, no casualties have been reported, and security agencies continue their investigations.
Speaking with our reportert about the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the investigation has already begun. She added that the state Commissioner of Police was on his way to Offa for an on-the-spot assessment.
The PPRO said that an official statement on the incident would be released thereafter.
Meanwhile, residents of Tangaza and Tambuwal local government areas of Sokoto State have confirmed separate drone attacks on their communities, carried out by the United States military.
Findings by our correspondent indicate that one of the attacks occurred in Jabo District of Tambuwal Local Government Area, a community previously not affected by insecurity.
Eyewitnesses said the incident caused widespread panic among residents.
A resident recounted that they were seated when they noticed an object resembling a small aircraft approaching the community.
“Shortly after, we heard a loud explosion and saw a huge ball of fire. Everyone was terrified. People rushed out of their houses with their families and started running in different directions,” the resident said.
According to him, some residents later went to the scene and discovered what appeared to be a bomb crater on a farmland.
“It created a very large hole, and fire was still burning. We thank God it did not fall on our houses and nobody was injured.”
“We recovered some metal fragments and plan to hand them over to the local authorities for investigation.”
“We are puzzled by the airstrike on our community because Jabo is not facing any security challenges.”
“The last bandit attack we experienced was about two years ago, when some villages within our district were targeted,” the resident said.
A medical practitioner living in the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the explosion occurred just a few metres behind her house, damaging the roof.
“It happened around 10 p.m. My family and I were indoors when we heard a loud blast behind the house. We rushed outside in fear. Later, we realised it was a drone strike. Thankfully, it did not hit our residence and no one was killed or injured, but we barely slept due to fear,” she said.
In Tangaza Local Government Area, residents also confirmed attacks on locations believed to be hideouts of the Lakurawa group.
A local government official, who requested anonymity, said the strikes occurred between 10 p.m. and midnight at Warriya and Alkasim villages.
“We are yet to ascertain the full impact of the attack, including whether there were civilian casualties. Security operatives are expected to visit the affected areas this morning to verify what happened,” the official said.
However, multiple sources, including local authorities, said no airstrikes were recorded in the eastern part of Sokoto State, which has experienced banditry for over a decade.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has said the recent United States airstrikes on terrorist targets in north-western Nigeria were carried out with Nigeria’s full cooperation, approval and intelligence support, stressing that the operation neither violated the country’s sovereignty nor targeted any religious group.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday on the nature of Nigeria’s involvement, Tuggar said the government has remained consistent in working with all partners committed to the fight against terrorism, regardless of religion or geography.
“Nigeria has remained consistent in its approach, which is to work with all partners that are committed to the fight against terrorism, irrespective of what religion, whether Muslims or Christians, and irrespective of what type of terrorism it is and this is an ongoing process.”
He described the strikes as the outcome of long-standing security cooperation between Abuja and Washington, adding that Nigeria provided the intelligence that informed the operation.
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