Residents of Tangaza and Tambuwal Local Government Areas of Sokoto State have reported separate drone attacks on their communities, which they allege were carried out by the United States military.
Findings indicate that one of the drone attacks occurred in Jabo District of Tambuwal LGA—an area residents say has not previously been affected by insecurity.
Multiple sources said no airstrikes were recorded in eastern Sokoto State, despite the region experiencing banditry for more than a decade.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic after an object resembling a small aircraft was seen approaching the community late at night.
“Moments later, there was a loud explosion and a huge ball of fire,” a resident said. “People ran out of their homes with their families in different directions.”
According to the resident, those who later visited the site found what appeared to be a bomb crater on farmland, with fire still burning. No injuries were reported.
“We thank God it did not land on our houses,” he said, adding that metal fragments recovered from the scene would be handed over to authorities for investigation.
He expressed confusion over the strike, noting that the last bandit attack in the area occurred about two years ago.
A medical practitioner living nearby said the explosion happened just metres behind her house around 10 p.m., damaging the roof.
“We were inside when we heard a loud blast,” she said. “It was terrifying. Although no one was hurt, we could not sleep because of fear.”
In Tangaza LGA, residents also confirmed strikes on locations believed to be hideouts of the Lakurawa group. A local government official, who asked not to be named, said the attacks occurred between 10 p.m. and midnight at Warriya and Alkasim villages.
“We are still assessing the impact, including whether there were civilian casualties,” the official said, adding that security operatives were expected to visit the affected areas to verify the situation.
Attempts to reach the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
