US Strike: Debris Fall on Offa Town, No Casualty – FG
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO – The Federal Government, last night confirmed that debris from the US strike on ISIS cells in Sokoto forest reportedly landed near a hotel in Offa, the bustling commercial centre of Kwara state during the Christmas day.
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, in a statement Friday night, said that no lives were lost and no injuries recorded.
Mr. Idris stated that authorities ‘moved swiftly to secure the area, pointing out that there were no civilian casualties recorded.’
The Minister, however linked the incident to “a coordinated precision strike carried out by Nigeria in collaboration with the United States against Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State.”
He stressed that during the operation, debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State.
Mohammed Idris, explained that the US operation targeted two major ISIS assembly and staging camps hidden within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
The Minister said “Intelligence reports had identified the camps as bases used by foreign ISIS fighters infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region, working with local affiliates to plan attacks within the country.”
Sixteen GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using unmanned aerial platforms, successfully neutralising the identified terrorist targets.
He assured that the Federal Government remains resolute in confronting and eliminating terrorist threats, particularly transnational extremist networks seeking to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Idris, therefore urged citizens to remain calm and vigilant as security agencies continue decisive actions against all terrorist groups threatening the country’s peace and stability.