Residents of Offa, Kwara State, were terrified Thursday night after explosions ripped through the town, destroying property and heightening security worries, just hours after the United States launched airstrikes against ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria.
The incident, which occurred about midnight on Christmas Day, was reported to have occurred at two different locations in Offa.
Residents informed newsmen that the first explosion damaged numerous structures near the Eid prayer grounds, while the second occurred near the Solid Worth Hotel, which is approximately a five-minute walk away.
It was also revealed that an undetonated explosive device was located at the second location, prompting increased security precautions. However, the specific source and nature of the explosions were unknown as of the time of reporting this article.
Confirming the occurrence, Abiola Azeez Babatunde, Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman of Offa Local Government, stated that the council was aware of the online reports concerning the explosion.
In a statement issued on Friday, Babatunde said, “The Offa Local Government has taken note of reports circulating regarding a suspected ordnance-related incident that occurred in the precinct of Offa Yidi Praying Ground on December 25, 2025.
“The affected areas have been cordoned off by security agencies to allow for thorough investigation.”
He disclosed that the Chairman of Offa Local Government Area, Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, visited the scene shortly after the incident to assess the situation.
“The Executive Chairman, Hon. Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, visited the location immediately after the incident to assess the situation firsthand,” the statement read.
The council chairman called on residents to remain calm and vigilant while security agencies carry out investigations.
“He calls on all residents of Offa to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding. Citizens are also advised to verify information through credible and official sources to avoid spreading fear and panic,” the statement added.
The local government reassured citizens of its commitment to safety, stating that it would continue to collaborate closely with relevant authorities until the investigations were complete.
A security officer, who did not want to be identified because he was not authorized to talk, confirmed that what struck the Offa buildings was a component of an armed 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 Offa explosions occurred just hours after US President Donald Trump authorized airstrikes against ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria, primarily Sokoto State, on Christmas Day.
While there is no official confirmation linking the Offa incident to the US military action in Sokoto, the timing has heightened popular concern, with people urging security officials to step up monitoring and offer clarification on the situation.
When contacted, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, Police Public Relations Officer for Kwara State Command, acknowledged the event and stated that an investigation is underway to determine what transpired.
“Discrete investigations are ongoing to reveal what happened precisely. Please be patient,” she said.
The distance from Offa, Kwara State, to Sokoto is approximately 540 to 550 kilometers.
As of Friday morning, no casualties had been officially recorded, and neither the state administration nor security services had issued a formal statement regarding the blasts.
