The Federal Government has confirmed that the explosions which damaged properties in Offa, Kwara State, on Christmas night were caused by debris from munitions used during a joint Nigeria–United States military operation against Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists in Sokoto State.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the debris came from “expended munitions” deployed during coordinated airstrikes.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, in close coordination with the Government of the United States of America, has successfully conducted precision strike operations against two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves,” the statement said.
According to the government, the strikes targeted camps in the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, believed to be used by foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel to plan large-scale attacks.
Idris disclosed that the operation, approved by President Bola Tinubu, was carried out between 12:12am and 1:30am on Friday, December 26, using 16 GPS-guided munitions deployed from MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms.
“During the course of the operation, debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State, near the premises of a hotel. No civilian casualties were recorded,” the statement added.
Residents of Offa had been thrown into panic after explosions damaged homes, shops and a hotel, though no deaths were reported.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to national security, assuring Nigerians that it remains “fully in control of the national security architecture” and urged citizens to remain calm and vigilant.
