Residents in parts of Sokoto State, Nigeria, experienced widespread panic on Thursday following United States military operations targeting terrorist elements in the North Western region.
Findings indicate that one of the attacks occurred in Jabo District of Tambuwal Local Government Area, a community previously unaffected by regional insecurity.
Eyewitnesses described a loud explosion late at night, followed by a massive fireball. A resident said they were sitting outside when they saw an object resembling a small aircraft approaching before the blast.
"Shortly after, we heard a loud explosion and saw a huge ball of fire. Everyone was terrified. People rushed out of their houses with their families and started running in different directions," the resident recounted.
Upon visiting the site, some residents discovered a large crater on a nearby farmland. "It created a very large hole, and fire was still burning. We thank God it did not fall on our houses and nobody was injured," the resident said. They added that metal fragments were recovered and would be handed over to local authorities for investigation.
"We are puzzled by the airstrike on our community because Jabo is not facing any security challenges. The last bandit attack we experienced was about two years ago, when some villages within our district were targeted," the resident said.
A medical practitioner living nearby, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the blast occurred just meters behind her home, damaging the roof. "It happened around 10 p.m. My family and I were indoors when we heard a loud blast behind the house. We rushed outside in fear. Later, we realised it was a drone strike. Thankfully, it did not hit our residence and no one was killed or injured, but we barely slept due to fear," she said.
In Tangaza Local Government Area, residents reported similar strikes believed to target hideouts of the Lakurawa militant group. A local government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the attacks took place between 10 p.m. and midnight in Warriya and Alkasim villages.
"We are yet to ascertain the full impact of the attack, including whether there were civilian casualties. Security operatives are expected to visit the affected areas this morning to verify what happened," the official stated.
Despite these incidents, multiple sources including local authorities confirmed that no airstrikes were recorded in the eastern part of Sokoto State—a region long affected by banditry—raising questions about the targeting and coordination of the operations.