DEBRIS FROM ALLEGED U.S. STRIKE INJURES THREE HOTEL WORKERS IN KWARA, OWNER SAYS

DEBRIS FROM ALLEGED U.S. STRIKE INJURES THREE HOTEL WORKERS IN KWARA, OWNER SAYS

Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria — Three hotel workers were hospitalised after debris from munitions reportedly fell on a hotel in Offa following U.S.‑backed airstrikes against militants in north‑west Nigeria, the owner of the establishment said on Monday. The incident has heightened concerns about the impact of foreign military operations on civilians and infrastructure far from the strike zone. 

The Solid Worth Hotel, located in the Lamodi area of Offa, some 800 kilometres from the reported strike sites in Sokoto State, was struck late on Christmas Day, according to proprietor Taofeek Azeez Bello. The debris — believed to be remnants of a munition fired during the U.S. air operations — reportedly landed inside part of the hotel building, causing damage and injuring the three staff members. 

Bello told reporters that the incident occurred around 10 p.m. on December 25 and resulted in significant harm to his employees. One worker was described as sustaining a traumatic injury and was taken to a psychiatric hospital for care, while another suffered a serious head wound and the third was hurt in the legs and lap. All three remain under medical supervision. 

The injuries and damage to the hotel came amid joint U.S.‑Nigeria air operations targeting Islamic State‑linked militants in Sokoto State’s Tangaza district. The Nigerian government had previously acknowledged that debris from expended munitions fell as far afield as Jabo in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State and Offa, Kwara State, but officials insisted that there were no civilian casualties at the time. 

Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala reiterated that the airstrike’s intent was to neutralise extremist threats and maintained that “there were no casualties except the terrorist(s).” He reiterated official assurances that the operation was precise and conducted with a high degree of coordination between U.S. and Nigerian forces. 

Meanwhile, Kwara State Police stated that investigations into the hotel incident are ongoing. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the exact nature of the debris was definitively linked to the airstrike or if other dynamics may have contributed to the object’s trajectory and impact.

The Solid Worth Hotel incident has triggered community concern in Offa and surrounding areas, where residents reported being startled by loud explosions and the subsequent arrival of security personnel at the scene. Though only staff members were reported injured and no guests were harmed, the event has underscored anxiety over remote effects of military operations on civilian life and property far from targeted conflict zones. 

Analysts say that debris falling considerable distances from strike locations highlights the complexities and risks associated with aerial precision operations, especially in densely populated regions. Such incidents can fuel public debate about the adequacy of risk mitigation measures and the need for robust civilian harm protocols — including clear communication, injury reporting mechanisms, and compensation frameworks — in joint operations. 

The controversial airstrikes — carried out on December 25, 2025 — targeted insurgent camps linked to the Islamic State group operating in north‑west Nigeria. The U.S. operation marked a notable escalation of foreign involvement in Nigeria’s internal security battlegrounds, where authorities have struggled for years against jihadist and bandit groups. 

Despite official assurances that civilian harm had been avoided, local reports and testimonies such as that from the hotel owner indicate that unintended consequences have occurred. Human rights and civil society advocates have stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the wake of such operations, particularly when evidence suggests civilians or non‑combatants have been affected.

As the investigation progresses, residents and commentators alike are calling on authorities to provide detailed findings and assistance to those injured, while also reviewing safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in future military engagements that involve allied forces on Nigerian soil. 

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