Residents of Offa, Kwara State, were thrown into panic on Christmas night after explosions rocked parts of the town, damaging property and raising security concerns.
The incident reportedly occurred around midnight at two separate locations within Offa.
Eyewitnesses told DAILY GAZETTE that the first explosion occurred near the Eid praying ground, while the second struck close to Solid Worth Hotel, just a five-minute walk from the initial site.
Authorities also discovered an undetonated device at the second location, prompting increased security measures.
Confirming the incident, Chief Press Secretary to the Offa Local Government Chairman, Abiola Azeez Babatunde, stated that the council is aware of the reports circulating online.
In a statement, he said: “The affected areas have been cordoned off by security agencies to allow for a thorough investigation.”
The Executive Chairman of Offa Local Government, Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, visited the scene shortly after the incident to assess the situation.
Residents were urged to remain calm, vigilant, and rely only on verified sources for information to avoid spreading panic.
A security official, who requested anonymity, told DAILY GAZETTE that the explosions were caused by components from a missile, not conventional bombs.
“There was an airstrike by the US, in collaboration with the Nigerian government, targeting terrorists in Sokoto. What was found in Offa is a part of a Tomahawk cruise missile launched from a US warship in the Gulf of Guinea,” he explained.
The Offa explosions came just hours after US President Donald Trump announced airstrikes against ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria, particularly Sokoto State.
While there is no official confirmation linking the Offa incident to the US military action, the timing has fueled anxiety among residents.
Police Public Relations Officer for Kwara State, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the explosions.
As of Friday morning, no casualties had been reported, and the state government has yet to release a detailed statement.
