Panic spread across Offa, a major town in Kwara State located in North Central Nigeria, late on Thursday night after multiple explosions were reported in different parts of the community, causing damage to buildings and heightening security concerns among residents.
The explosions occurred barely hours after the Government of the United States of America announced that it had carried out coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, also known as ISIS, terrorist targets in parts of northwest Nigeria. The United States military action was confirmed by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, on Christmas Day.
Residents of Offa told reporters that the explosions happened around midnight on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at two separate locations within the town. The first explosion reportedly affected several buildings around the Eid praying ground area, a popular religious gathering point in Offa.
According to residents, a second explosion was recorded close to Solid Worth Hotel, which is located about a five minute walking distance from the first affected area. The twin incidents caused fear and confusion, with many residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night.
Okay News reports that security concerns intensified further after an undetonated explosive device was discovered at the second location. This discovery prompted immediate action by security agencies, who cordoned off the affected areas to prevent civilian access while investigations were initiated.
As of the time the incident was reported, the exact cause and origin of the explosions had not been officially confirmed by authorities.
Confirming awareness of the situation, the Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman of Offa Local Government Area, Abiola Azeez Babatunde, said the local council had taken note of reports circulating on social media regarding the incident.
In a statement released 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 further disclosed that the Executive Chairman of Offa Local Government Area, Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, personally visited the scene shortly after the explosions to assess the situation.
“The Executive Chairman, Honorable Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, visited the location immediately after the incident to assess the situation firsthand,” the statement added.
The local government chairman urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as investigations continue.
“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 said.
Meanwhile, a senior security official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly said preliminary findings suggested that what struck the buildings in Offa was not a conventional bomb.
According to the official, “You know there was an airstrike by the United States in collaboration with the Nigerian government against terrorists in Sokoto State, which is located in northwest Nigeria.
“The operation involved more than a dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from a United States warship positioned in the Gulf of Guinea.
“What was found in Offa is not a bomb but a component of the bomb of the missile launched.”
The explosion in Offa occurred shortly after President Donald Trump announced that United States forces had carried out airstrikes against ISIS targets in Sokoto State during Christmas Day operations.
Although there has been no official confirmation directly linking the Offa incident to the United States military action in Sokoto, the timing has raised public anxiety. Residents have since called on Nigerian security agencies to intensify surveillance and provide clearer explanations to reassure the public.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Police Command, Superintendent of Police Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, confirmed that the incident occurred and that investigations were ongoing.
“Discrete investigations are ongoing to reveal what happened precisely. Please be patient,” she said.
Geographically, Offa in Kwara State is located approximately 540 to 550 kilometers away from Sokoto State, where the United States airstrikes were reported.
As of Friday morning, no casualties had been officially recorded, and neither the Kwara State Government nor federal security agencies had issued a comprehensive statement detailing the cause of the explosions.
The Offa Local Government Area reassured residents of its commitment to public safety, stating that it would continue to work closely with security agencies until investigations are fully concluded.
