Residents of Offa, Kwara State, were thrown into panic on Thursday night when explosions struck parts of the town, destroying property and raising fears about security, just hours after the United States announced airstrikes against ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria.
The blasts, which occurred around midnight on Christmas Day, reportedly hit two separate locations within the town.
According to eyewitnesses, the first explosion damaged several buildings around the Eid praying ground area, while the second occurred near Solid Worth Hotel, about a five-minute walk from the initial site.
Authorities said an undetonated explosive device was discovered at the second location, leading to heightened security measures.
The origin and exact nature of the explosions remained unclear as of Friday morning.
Confirming the incident, the Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman of Offa Local Government, Abiola Azeez Babatunde, said the council was aware of reports circulating online about the explosions.
A security source who spoke on condition of anonymity told The PUNCH that the objects that struck the buildings were components from a missile.
According to him, “You know there was an airstrike by the US in collaboration with the Nigerian government against terrorists in Sokoto. The operation involved more than a dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from a US warship from the Gulf of Guinea. What was found in Offa is not a Bomb but a component of the bomb of the missile launched.”
The explosions occurred shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced airstrikes against ISIS in parts of northwest Nigeria, particularly Sokoto State.
While there is no official confirmation linking the Offa blasts to the military action, the timing has fueled public anxiety, with residents calling for intensified security surveillance and official clarification.
Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed the incident, adding that investigations are ongoing.
The distance from Offa to Sokoto is approximately 540 to 550 kilometres.
As of Friday morning, no casualties had been officially reported, and detailed statements from the state government and security agencies were still pending.