DHQ warns residents against picking debris after US airstrikes

The Defence Headquarters has warned residents to stay away from debris and unexploded ordnance following joint United States airstrikes on terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State.

The warning follows air operations carried out on Christmas Day, during which the United States fired 16 precision-guided munitions at terrorist targets in two major enclaves within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area. The strikes, according to the Presidency, were conducted at the request of the Nigerian government.

However, remnants from the airstrikes reportedly landed in parts of Offa, Kwara State, with residents in the area reporting explosions around the same time the operation was executed in Sokoto.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Michael Onoja, said specialised ordnance disposal units of the Nigerian Armed Forces had been deployed to recover debris and other remnants from the strikes.

Onoja cautioned civilians against picking up or keeping any materials from the affected sites, stressing that such items could pose serious danger to lives and property.

“We do not expect civilians to pick up or keep such materials,” he said, appealing to residents to return any recovered items that could be harmful.

The warning comes amid circulating videos on social media showing residents scavenging debris and suspected unexploded ordnance at strike locations in Sokoto, raising fears of accidental explosions.

In Kwara State, security sources confirmed that an undetonated explosive device was discovered at one of the blast sites, prompting increased security presence and safety measures in the area. Investigations and recovery operations are ongoing.

Very Nigerian.

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