Residents of Jabo town in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State were left in shock following a US airstrike late Friday night.
Many initially believed a plane had crashed due to the fiery object descending rapidly from the sky.
Abubakar Shehu Jabo, a local resident and the Information Officer for Tambuwal LGA, said the incident occurred around 10:30 pm.
“Because of the loud noise and the speed at which the burning object descended, many of us thought it was an air crash,” he explained.
“But when we cautiously moved closer, we realised it was not an aircraft but something else entirely”, he added.
Community Leaders Speak Out
Sarkin Fawan Jabo, Muhammadu Abubkar, sought to reassure residents, stressing that Jabo and neighbouring Bargini have always been peaceful and have no links to terrorists or bandits.
He noted that the only serious security concern in the area occurred in 2000, when a kidnapping was reported, but the region has remained largely calm since then.
“We do not harbor terrorists or bandits in our communities. This place has been calm and peaceful for a very long time, which makes this incident even more disturbing,” he said.
Families Terrified by Explosion
A resident from Bargini described the blast as catastrophic. Villagers, preparing for bed, were startled by a loud explosion, thick smoke, and intense flames, prompting a chaotic evacuation from their homes.
Questions Raised Over Security Measures
The unexpected airstrike has sparked concern beyond Sokoto State, with citizens across Nigeria questioning why such operations are taking place in areas long considered safe.