A late-night explosion suspected to be from an ordnance device caused panic and injury in Offa, Kwara State, on Christmas Day. The incident, which occurred around 9:38 pm on Thursday, 25 December 2025, left at least five people wounded and caused significant damage to four adjoining buildings.
Scene of Chaos and Injury
The blast rocked the Yidi area, a Muslim prayer ground located along the Offa-Ijagbo road. Residents who were already asleep were jolted by the violent explosion. Among the most seriously affected were a couple and their young daughter. The woman, identified as Iya Ayo, sustained severe injuries to her breast, stomach, and arms from what witnesses described as piercing nails. Her daughter, Aisha, was also seriously hurt. Both were rushed to the nearby First Care Hospital for emergency treatment.
An eyewitness recounted the terrifying moment, describing seeing lights beaming before the object rammed into an upstairs apartment and subsequently damaged three other structures. Another young boy reportedly had his ear chopped off in the blast, while an artisan was also among those injured.
Official Response and Investigation
Swiftly responding to the distress calls, local authorities and security agencies moved to the scene. The Commissioner of Police for Kwara State, Adekimi Ojo, was quick to address circulating rumours. He explicitly denied claims that an American military plane had crashed or that a bomb had been brought into the city.
"There was no bomb scare in Offa, there was no plane crash," CP Ojo stated firmly to newsmen at the site. "What happened was just an ordinance, and our IED experts have evacuated the debris. There is no more cause for alarm, everything is now under control."
The Executive Chairman of Offa Local Government, Hon. Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, who visited the scene with the DPO and the Governor's Special Adviser on Political Matters, Hon. Femi Agbaje Whyte, echoed the police chief's sentiment. He expressed relief that no lives were lost and suggested a possible cause.
"I suspect it could be that a drone was being tested and it backfired or it malfunctioned," Chairman Omituntun speculated during his media briefing. He praised the rapid response of the police and their explosives experts, who have cordoned off the area for a discreet investigation.
Call for Calm and Vigilance
In the aftermath, the primary message from officials has been one of reassurance and a plea for responsible information sharing. The preliminary statement from the Offa Local Government, described as an "ordinance-related" incident, aims to clarify the situation.
Both the council chairman and the police have urged residents of Offa to remain calm, law-abiding, and vigilant. They strongly advised the public to verify information through credible and official channels to prevent the spread of fear and misinformation. Security remains tightened around the affected area as the investigation into the precise origin and nature of the explosive device continues.
