Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Offa, Kwara State — Residents of this ordinarily quiet town were thrown into fear and confusion late on Christmas night after a series of loud explosions shook parts of the community, destroying several residential buildings and damaging shops, according to eyewitness accounts and local reports. The blasts — which occurred close to midnight — sparked widespread alarm, with many people fleeing their homes and seeking safety following the unexpected destruction.
Eyewitnesses described the explosions as powerful enough to bring down walls and scatter debris across the affected neighbourhoods. At least five houses and several commercial structures were reported damaged, with residents calling on the Kwara State Government and security forces to urgently intervene and investigate the cause of the blasts.
The timing of the incident fuelled speculation among locals because the explosions followed announcements by U.S. President Donald Trump that the United States had carried out airstrikes in northwest Nigeria against Islamic State militants operating in Sokoto State — a move that was publicly confirmed by U.S. defence sources and acknowledged as coordinated with the Nigerian government.
In a Christmas‑day message shared online, Trump said the strikes were aimed at extremist elements alleged to have targeted Christian communities and described the operation as “powerful and deadly,” though he did not provide detailed information on specific locations struck. The U.S. Africa Command later said the strikes were conducted in cooperation with Nigerian authorities, reinforcing a security partnership aimed at combating terrorism in the region.
Local residents in Offa — a community situated far from the documented airstrike zone in Sokoto State — reported seeing objects fall from the sky before the explosions and later claimed to have found fragments believed to be from a drone‑delivered ordnance, though these assertions have not been independently verified by security officials.
Authorities have not yet issued an official explanation for the blasts in Offa. It remains unclear whether the explosions were directly linked to the U.S.‑reported air operations, whether they were part of a domestic military action, or if other causes — such as a detonation of stored explosives or a structural accident — might be responsible. Security agencies have been called on by local figures to release verified information to calm the public and prevent misinformation from spreading.
The Nigerian Government has confirmed that U.S. airstrikes took place in Sokoto State as part of joint counterterrorism efforts, ensuring that the operations were carried out with Nigeria’s consent and aligned with legal frameworks for international cooperation on security. Abuja’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that such cooperation is conducted with respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and shared commitments to regional stability.
Security analysts caution that associating the Offa explosions with strikes in Sokoto — a region hundreds of kilometres away — requires careful investigation, as evidence linking the two is currently anecdotal rather than confirmed by official sources. Analysts also stress that false or premature attributions can stoke public fear and divert attention from grounded assessments by safety and defence authorities.
For now, many Offa residents remain fearful and uncertain as authorities work to determine the origin of the blasts. The local police and Kwara State security apparatus are expected to issue statements and conduct enquiries in the days ahead. In the interim, community groups are urging calm, cooperation with security services, and transparent communication from government representatives to provide clarity amid lingering anxiety.
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