Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Residents of Jabo village in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State have fled their homes following a frightening nighttime incident in which an explosive device reportedly fell near the community, igniting a fire and triggering widespread panic. The incident occurred against the backdrop of intensified security tension in northwest Nigeria, with residents and local sources linking the explosion to a series of reported nighttime airstrikes said to be targeting militant camps in remote areas of the state.
Eyewitnesses told reporters that the incident happened late at night, when a loud blast was heard followed by flames rising from a nearby area. Many residents, already on edge due to prolonged insecurity in parts of Sokoto State, said they fled immediately, fearing further explosions or an escalation of violence. Families reportedly abandoned homes, livestock, and personal belongings, seeking refuge in surrounding bush paths and neighboring communities.
Several villagers described seeing “something fall from the sky” before the explosion, a claim that has fueled speculation and fear among residents. While some community members believe the incident may be connected to ongoing counterterrorism air operations, there has been no official confirmation from Nigerian security authorities or foreign military sources that an airstrike directly struck Jabo village or its immediate surroundings.
Sokoto State, particularly border and rural areas such as Tambuwal LGA, has in recent years experienced spillover effects from banditry and militant activity prevalent across the wider northwest. Armed groups operating in forested zones across Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina states have repeatedly clashed with security forces, prompting periodic military operations aimed at dismantling camps and supply routes. These operations, often conducted at night to reduce militant mobility, have heightened anxiety among rural populations who fear being caught in the crossfire.
According to Pentagon and U.S. defence commentary, the strikes were carried out in cooperation with the Nigerian government, and involved precision targeting of extremist positions in the northwestern states, including reported hits on known ISIS strongholds. Nigeria’s foreign ministry noted that ongoing military cooperation with the United States was part of broader efforts to address common security threats.
Trump’s announcement follows weeks of heightened rhetoric from him and senior U.S. officials, who had warned that violence against Christians in Nigeria — which he characterised as at “levels not seen for many years, and even centuries” — necessitated U.S. action. The president previously announced restrictions on visas and labelled Nigeria a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing concerns over attacks on religious communities.
The strikes took place amid a complex and longstanding security crisis in Nigeria. Extremist groups, including Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram, along with bandit militias, have for years carried out attacks that have affected both Christian and Muslim communities across northern and northeastern Nigeria. Nigerian authorities have emphasised that violence in the country reflects multiple drivers — including insurgency, communal conflict and criminality — and not solely religious persecution.
The move has triggered debate both within Nigeria and internationally. Supporters of the U.S. action argue that it demonstrates a staunch stance against terrorism and protection of vulnerable populations, while critics warn that framing the conflict with a narrow religious lens may oversimplify the situation and risk inflaming tensions. Nigerian officials have reiterated that their military operations continue to focus on protecting all civilians and that violence affects people across faiths.
As of this report, neither official casualty figures from the strikes nor detailed operational assessments have been publicly released by U.S. or Nigerian authorities. Analysts say the implications for Nigeria’s sovereignty, regional security cooperation, and the broader fight against extremism will be closely scrutinised in the coming days and weeks.
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