Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA/SOKOTO, NIGERIA — The Nigerian military has appealed to residents of Sokoto State to immediately return explosive debris and materials removed from the site of the recent U.S.–Nigeria joint airstrike, warning that such objects pose a serious risk to public safety and should only be handled by trained security personnel.
The appeal followed a Christmas Day airstrike carried out on December 25, 2025, in parts of Sokoto State’s Tambuwal and Tangaza Local Government Areas — an operation authorised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in partnership with the United States to target Islamic State (ISIS)–linked militant camps, according to official statements. Nigerian and U.S. forces launched precision strikes on suspected terrorist enclaves in the Bauni Forest as part of intensified counterterrorism cooperation.
Although the Sokoto State Government reported that no civilian casualties occurred and that investigations into objects found near Jabo town are ongoing, military leaders have expressed concern over reports that explosive fragments and other debris from the strike have been removed and handled by civilians.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said that unauthorised persons taking materials from the strike site risk grave danger. He urged those in possession of such items to return them immediately to the nearest military base or recognised security facility so that explosive ordnance disposal teams can safely neutralise them. According to Onoja, the armed forces do not expect civilians to collect or keep such dangerous remnants and emphasised that only trained formations are equipped to recover and disarm explosive devices.
The military has also called on the media to help convey this message widely to affected communities, stressing the urgency of preventing potential accidents or injuries from unexploded or unstable fragments. Civil and military authorities alike have been engaged in public outreach following the strike, as local residents in villages like Jabo expressed shock and confusion about the operation, and some have been documented handling the remnants without protective precautions.
The Christmas Day airstrike was part of a broader attempt by Nigerian and international partners to disrupt extremist activity in northwest Nigeria, where jihadist and bandit networks have sought to exploit porous terrain and weak law enforcement. While federal authorities insist the joint airstrike was coordinated and focused on legitimate security threats, residents and local leaders have called for transparent communication and reassurance that such operations prioritise civilian safety.
The Defence Headquarters and Sokoto State Government reiterate that continued cooperation between communities and security forces is crucial — both for effective counterterrorism and for ensuring that remnants of military operations do not endanger ordinary citizens. Efforts are underway to collect and safely dispose of all explosive material recovered from affected areas.
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