Nigerian military authorities have appealed to residents of Sokoto State to surrender explosive materials and suspicious ordnance picked from sites of the US airstrikes in Sokoto State on Christmas Day, citing risks of accidental detonation.
Despite official assurances that no innocent resident was killed, the impact of falling debris and unidentified objects in and around communities had caused alarm. In response, military authorities have urged locals to hand over picked explosive materials or remnants of ordnance to security agencies.
The call according to the authorities is intended to prevent accidental explosion and support a thorough battle damage assessment, as unexploded fragments can pose significant risks in residential areas.
Residents of the affected areas were encouraged to report the location of any suspicious material. The military also reiterated that credible information from communities is vital to ensuring public safety and avoiding injuries during cleanup operations.
The Sokoto State government confirmed the strikes and reiterated that the joint operation with U.S. forces was part of broader efforts to protect lives and property against extremist threats.
