Panic and uncertainty swept through the ancient town of Offa in Kwara State early Friday morning following a series of midnight explosions that destroyed property and sent residents fleeing for safety. The incident occurred just hours after United States President Donald Trump announced that American forces had launched "powerful and deadly" precision airstrikes against ISIS-Sahel targets in neighboring Sokoto State.
The explosions in Offa reportedly struck two separate locations around midnight on Christmas Day. According to eyewitness accounts and local reports, the first blast occurred near the community’s Eid praying ground, while a second explosion followed minutes later near the Solid Worth Hotel, a short distance away. While no fatalities have been confirmed as of Friday morning, at least five buildings were reported to have been significantly damaged or destroyed by the force of the blasts.
The Chairman of Offa Local Government, Hon. Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, conducted an emergency assessment of the affected areas on Friday. In a statement released through his Chief Press Secretary, Abiola Azeez Babatunde, the council confirmed it was aware of the "suspected ordnance-related incident" and revealed that an undetonated explosive device was discovered and neutralized at the second site.
"The Chairman urges all residents to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding," the statement read. "We are working closely with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of our people until investigations are concluded."
The Kwara State Police Command has deployed a heavy security presence to cordon off the sites. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Toun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed that the State Commissioner of Police was en route to Offa for an on-the-spot assessment.
Although the timing of the blasts has sparked intense public speculation regarding a link to U.S. military activity in the north, police authorities emphasized that the source and nature of the Offa explosions remain under investigation and no official connection to external strikes has been established.
For now, the streets of Offa remain quiet but tense. Residents have been advised by local government officials to rely only on credible news sources and to report any suspicious objects to security personnel as the forensic investigation into the nature of the explosives continues.
