Panic gripped residents of Offa, Kwara State, on Thursday evening after explosions rocked components of the city, destroying properties and elevating safety issues, barely hours after america introduced airstrikes towards ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria.
The incident, which occurred round midnight on Christmas Day, was stated to have occurred at two separate areas inside Offa.
Residents advised The PUNCH that the primary explosion affected a number of buildings across the Eid praying floor space, whereas the second occurred close to Strong Price Resort, positioned a couple of five-minute stroll from the preliminary website.
It was additional gathered that an undetonated explosive gadget was found on the second location, prompting heightened safety measures. Nonetheless, the precise supply and nature of the explosions remained unclear as of the time of submitting this report.
Confirming the incident, the Chief Press Secretary to the Government Chairman of Offa Native Authorities, Abiola Azeez Babatunde, stated the council was conscious of reviews circulating on-line in regards to the explosion.
In an announcement issued on Friday, Babatunde stated, “The Offa Native Authorities has taken be aware of reviews circulating relating to a suspected ordnance-related incident that occurred within the precinct of Offa Yidi Praying Floor on December 25, 2025.
“The affected areas have been cordoned off by safety businesses to permit for thorough investigation.”
He disclosed that the Chairman of Offa Native Authorities Space, Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, visited the scene shortly after the incident to evaluate the state of affairs.
“The Government Chairman, Hon. Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, visited the situation instantly after the incident to evaluate the state of affairs firsthand,” the assertion learn.
The council chairman urged residents to stay calm and vigilant whereas safety businesses perform investigations.
“He calls on all residents of Offa to stay calm, vigilant, and law-abiding. Residents are additionally suggested to confirm data via credible and official sources to keep away from spreading worry and panic,” the assertion added.
The native authorities assured residents of its dedication to security, noting that it could proceed to work intently with related authorities till investigations are concluded.
A safety official who didn’t wish to be named as a result of he was not approved to talk confirmed to The PUNCH that what struck the buildings in Offa is a element from an armed missile.
In line with him, “You recognize there was an airstrike by the US in collaboration with the Nigerian authorities towards terrorists in Sokoto.
“The operation concerned greater than a dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from a US warship from the Gulf of Guinea.
“What was present in Offa isn’t a Bomb however a element of the bomb of the missile launched.”
The Offa explosions occurred barely hours after america President, Donald Trump, introduced U.S. airstrikes towards ISIS targets in components of northwest Nigeria, notably in Sokoto State, on Christmas Day.
Whereas there isn’t a official affirmation linking the Offa incident to the U.S. army motion in Sokoto, the timing has heightened public nervousness, with residents calling on safety businesses to accentuate surveillance and supply readability on the state of affairs.
When contacted the Police Public Relations Officer Kwara State Command SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi who confirmed the incident stated investigation is ongoing to determine what occurred.
“Discrete investigations are ongoing to disclose what occurred exactly. Please be affected person,” she stated.
The gap from Offa, Kwara State, to Sokoto is roughly 540 to 550 kilometers.
As of Friday morning, no casualties had been formally reported, and neither the state authorities nor safety businesses have but to situation an in depth assertion on the explosions.
