The quiet of Thursday night in Offa, Kwara State, was violently shattered by a series of loud explosions that sent residents fleeing from their homes in panic and confusion. The incident, which occurred around midnight, has left the community on edge as authorities work to determine the cause.
Sudden Blasts Trigger Widespread Panic
According to multiple accounts from locals, the explosions were sudden and deafening, striking two separate areas of the town. The first site was around the Eid area, with the second blast reported near the Solid Worth Hotel, located just a five-minute walk away. The force of the explosions caused visible damage to buildings, scattering debris and shattering the night's peace.
"It was a very heavy sound. At first, some people thought it was thunder, but it was different," one shaken resident recounted. The blasts triggered a wave of fear across several neighborhoods, with people rushing out into the streets to ascertain what was happening.
Unexploded Device Discovered, Fueling Speculation
The situation grew more alarming when residents discovered an undetonated explosive device at the second location. "At the second place, something like an explosive did not go off. People were scared and stayed away from the area until daybreak," another local explained. Witnesses reported seeing the device blinking before it failed to detonate fully, heightening anxiety.
The timing of the explosions, coming shortly after an announcement by former United States President Donald Trump regarding U.S. airstrikes against ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria, led to rampant speculation among residents. Some began circulating claims that a drone strike might have hit the town, though this remains unconfirmed.
Official Response and Community Await Answers
By Friday morning, crowds had gathered at the affected sites, discussing the incident amidst a vacuum of official information. A video obtained from the scene showed a damaged building with debris, but thankfully, residents confirmed no casualties or fatalities were recorded from the blasts.
Local authorities have moved to calm the community. The Chairman of Offa Local Government, Hon. Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, addressed residents, urging calm and advising them to rely on official channels for information. Security agencies have cordoned off the affected areas for investigation.
As of Friday, December 26, 2025, neither the Kwara State Government nor the Nigeria Police Force has issued an official statement clarifying the source of the explosions, the nature of the unexploded device, or addressing the rumors of a possible drone strike. The people of Offa are now left awaiting the outcome of a formal investigation to provide answers and restore a sense of security to their town.
