Residents of Jabo, a town in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, were thrown into panic on Thursday night after an explosive device burst into flames, forcing many to flee their homes.
According to *Daily Trust*, the incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. and triggered widespread fear among residents of the area.
Witnesses said the development, which heightened tension in the community, happened around the same time residents heard a loud impact.
Less than two hours later, United States President Donald Trump announced a major military operation targeting terrorists in North West Nigeria.
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Sokoto is among the states in the North West grappling with banditry and terrorism.
However, it remains unclear whether the military operation was linked to the explosion in Jabo, as Trump did not provide operational details.
An eyewitness, Attahiru Madawaki Jabo, told *Daily Trust* that the device ignited after striking the ground.
“I was at home when we heard a loud sound which shook some of our houses. Immediately the explosive object hit the ground at the outskirt of Jabo town, it burst into fire,” Jabo said.
Local sources disclosed that soldiers stationed at a nearby checkpoint swiftly moved to the scene and cordoned off the area.
It was gathered that the soldiers recovered scattered parts of the device and took them to their base, while some residents declined to return home for fear of another explosion.
Although the Nigerian government has confirmed US airstrikes on ISIS terrorists in Sokoto State, it is yet to be established whether the incident in Jabo was connected to the strikes.
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