Residents of Jabo town in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State have narrated frightening experiences following a U.S. airstrike that struck the community late on Friday night, throwing the area into panic and confusion.
The incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m., according to Abubakar Shehu Jabo, a resident of the town and Information Officer for Tambuwal LGA. He said many people initially believed an aircraft had crashed due to the loud explosion and the speed at which a burning object fell from the sky.
“Because of the loud noise and the speed at which the burning object descended, many of us thought it was an air crash,” he said. “But when we cautiously moved closer, we realised it was not an aircraft but something else entirely.”
The village head of Jabo, Sarkin Fawan Jabo, Muhammadu Abubakar, expressed shock over the incident and firmly denied any presence of terrorists or bandits in Jabo and neighbouring Bargini community.
“We do not harbour terrorists or bandits in our communities,” he said. “This place has been calm and peaceful for a very long time, which makes this incident even more disturbing.”
He recalled that the only notable security incident in the area was a single kidnapping case in the year 2000, stressing that the communities have enjoyed relative peace since then.
A resident of Bargini village described the explosion as devastating, saying families who were preparing to sleep were jolted awake by a thunderous blast. Thick smoke and raging flames reportedly followed, forcing villagers to flee their homes in fear.
The unexpected strike has sparked widespread concern beyond Sokoto State, with Nigerians questioning the source, intent, and implications of such military action in an area previously considered secure.
The incident has intensified calls for improved intelligence sharing, surveillance, and clearer security coordination to prevent further panic and ensure the safety of civilians.
Credit: Vanguard
