Sokoto residents recount moments US airstrikes hit communities

Residents of Tangaza and Tambuwal local government areas of Sokoto State have confirmed separate drone attacks on their communities, carried out by the United States military.

Findings by our correspondent indicate that one of the attacks occurred in Jabo District of Tambuwal Local Government Area, a community previously not affected by insecurity.

Eyewitnesses said the incident caused widespread panic among residents.

A resident recounted that they were seated when they noticed an object resembling a small aircraft approaching the community.

“Shortly after, we heard a loud explosion and saw a huge ball of fire. Everyone was terrified. People rushed out of their houses with their families and started running in different directions,” the resident said.

According to him, some residents later went to the scene and discovered what appeared to be a bomb crater on a farmland.

“It created a very large hole, and fire was still burning. We thank God it did not fall on our houses and nobody was injured.

“We recovered some metal fragments and plan to hand them over to the local authorities for investigation.

“We are puzzled by the airstrike on our community because Jabo is not facing any security challenges.

“The last bandit attack we experienced was about two years ago, when some villages within our district were targeted,” the resident said.

A medical practitioner living in the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the explosion occurred just a few metres behind her house, damaging the roof.

“It happened around 10 p.m. My family and I were indoors when we heard a loud blast behind the house. We rushed outside in fear. Later, we realised it was a drone strike. Thankfully, it did not hit our residence and no one was killed or injured, but we barely slept due to fear,” she said.

In Tangaza Local Government Area, residents also confirmed attacks on locations believed to be hideouts of the Lakurawa group.

A local government official, who requested anonymity, said the strikes occurred between 10 p.m. and midnight at Warriya and Alkasim villages.

“We are yet to ascertain the full impact of the attack, including whether there were civilian casualties. Security operatives are expected to visit the affected areas this morning to verify what happened,” the official said.

However, multiple sources, including local authorities, said no airstrikes were recorded in the eastern part of Sokoto State, which has experienced banditry for over a decade.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

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