Residents of Jabo town in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State were thrown into panic on Thursday night, Christmas Day, following loud explosions believed to have resulted from an aerial bombardment in the area.

Sources told SaharaReporters that the incident occurred suddenly when an object suspected to be an explosive device fell into the community, triggering a loud blast that sent residents fleeing in fear.

Although no casualties were recorded, part of the debris reportedly landed in an area where residents had gathered, sparking widespread panic. Photographs obtained by SaharaReporters showed fragments and unidentified objects scattered on the ground after the explosion.

Eyewitnesses described the incident as frightening, saying they heard a loud bang followed by objects falling from the sky. Many residents reportedly spent the night in fear, uncertain of what had occurred.

The development comes amid recent announcements by United States President Donald Trump regarding the launch of airstrikes against ISIS-linked terrorists operating in Northwest Nigeria.

A government source disclosed that the air operations were allegedly coordinated through Nigeria’s Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), led by Nuhu Ribadu. According to the source, intelligence units within the NSA’s office worked closely with the United States military, particularly the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), to identify and target ISIS-affiliated terrorist elements for what was described as their “elimination.”

However, details of the operation remain unclear, including the number of targets struck and the overall extent of the airstrikes.

There are also confirmed reports of an explosion on the outskirts of Jibo village, also located in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State. 

Neither the Nigerian government nor the United States military has issued an official statement on the incident.