*As FG Confirms US Military Launched Airstrikes Against ISIS Targets With Nigeria’s Full Cooperation
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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 reporter 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.
“We have been working closely with the Americans. This is what we have always been hoping for, to work with the Americans and with other countries to combat terrorism and to stop the death of innocent Nigerians,” Tuggar said. “It is Nigeria that provided the intelligence.”
The foreign minister disclosed that he held direct talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ahead of the strikes and subsequently briefed President Bola Tinubu before approval was granted.
“I was on the phone yesterday for 19 minutes with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. We spoke extensively. We agreed that I would speak with President Tinubu to give the go-ahead, and I did speak with him. It was agreed that the statements that would follow would make it clear that this was a strike against terrorism and part of ongoing joint operations between Nigeria and the United States.”
He added that both governments were careful to ensure the operation was properly framed. “It was made very clear that this had nothing to do with religion. It is about protecting Nigerians and innocent lives, whether Nigerian or non-Nigerian,” he said.
Addressing concerns about sovereignty, Tuggar insisted that Nigeria would not consent to any action that undermines its territorial integrity.
“You can be rest assured that President Tinubu and his administration would not agree to any action that would violate the sovereignty or territorial integrity of Nigeria. This was a collaborative effort. That was the emphasis before the President gave the go-ahead—that it must be clear it is a joint operation.”
He said the cooperation reflects Nigeria’s long-standing call for the lifting of restrictions that limited its access to military equipment, referencing the US Leahy laws.
“These legal restrictions affected our ability to respond to threats, both domestically and within the region. We are happy to see that the US government has revisited this issue and is now selling both kinetic and non-kinetic military equipment to countries like Nigeria.”
The minister noted that US President Donald Trump had previously approved the sale of Super Tucano aircraft to Nigeria, describing it as evidence of Washington’s willingness to support Abuja’s counterterrorism efforts.
“In fairness to President Trump, it was during the Buhari administration that he agreed to sell military aircraft to Nigeria. In terms of willingness to work with Nigeria in combating terrorism, he has fared better than others.”
On whether more strikes should be expected, Tuggar said the joint effort is part of a broader and ongoing campaign.
“It’s an ongoing thing. We’re working with the US and with other countries as well. For all those prepared to work with us to combat terrorism and ensure security in Nigeria and the region, we are ready to cooperate.”
He rejected claims that the conflict is religious, saying terrorism has claimed both Muslim and Christian lives across the country.
“This is not Muslims killing Christians or Christians killing Muslims. Muslims have been killed for quite some time. We have a common enemy. This is a regional conflict affecting the Sahel, and if you frame it wrongly, you apply the wrong solutions.”
Tuggar also dismissed fears that Nigeria is being turned into a theatre of war, arguing that joint operations ensure precision and civilian protection.
“That is why it has to be collaborative. It is our country; we know it better than anyone else. Precision can only work if both sides work together. This shows the government’s commitment to stamping out terrorism threatening the lives of our citizens.”
He said Nigeria continues to engage neighbouring countries and regional bodies, including through the Multinational Joint Task Force, to address the cross-border nature of the threat.
“We are always talking to our neighbours, and they agree that we must unite in the fight against terrorism,” Tuggar said. “This affects the entire region, not just Nigeria.”
The foreign minister added that beyond military action, Nigeria is also pursuing non-kinetic measures, including disrupting terrorist financing and arms supply routes.
“This is something we discuss in ECOWAS, in the African Union, and bilaterally with countries like the UK, the US and others,” he said. “Bombs alone do not end terrorism. Following the money and the weapons is equally important.”
Tuggar maintained that the priority of the Tinubu administration remains the protection of lives and property, insisting that all actions taken conform with Nigeria’s constitution and international law.
“Our number one priority is protecting Nigerians and ensuring that terrorism is stamped out. So long as actions do not violate international law or our sovereignty, we will continue to work with partners to secure our country.”
The federal government has confirmed that the United States military, in collaboration with the Nigerian authorities, launched airstrikes against terrorists belonging to the Islamic State (IS) group in north-western Nigeria.
The government, in a statement on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi, said the cooperation between the U.S. and Nigerian authorities led to what it described as “precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.”
The statement assured the federal government’s continued engagement in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.
“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security,” the statement said.
Continuing, the government stated that terrorist violence in Nigeria, whether targeted at Muslims or Christians, remains an affront to the country’s values and the international peace and security.
“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity.”
“The Federal Government continues to work closely with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats, while strengthening Nigeria’s own security institutions and intelligence capabilities.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to engage relevant partners and keep the public informed through appropriate official channels,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the US President Donald Trump, in a Truth Social post late on Thursday, disclosed that the US War Department, following his directives, launched “perfect” airstrikes targeting “terrorist scum” which he accused of “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians”.
According to Trump, the US military “executed numerous perfect strikes,” while the US Africa Command (Africom) later reported that Thursday’s attack was carried out in coordination with Nigeria in Sokoto state.
Trump said that “under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.”
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