The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has appealed to residents of Sokoto State to immediately return explosive materials allegedly taken from the site of a United States airstrike carried out on Christmas Day in Jabo community, warning that the items pose serious danger to both individuals and the general public.
The appeal was made on Wednesday in Abuja by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, while responding to questions from journalists. He expressed concern that highly sensitive and dangerous materials from the airstrike scene were removed by unauthorised persons.
Major General Onoja stressed that civilians are neither expected nor permitted to handle or keep explosive materials, noting that only specialised military units are trained and mandated to recover, secure, and neutralise such devices.
“We can only appeal to them to return all materials that may prove harmful to them,” Onoja said. “We do not expect anybody to take away these materials. We have formations within the armed forces whose duty it is to recover those things.”
He urged members of the public who may be in possession of the materials to return them to the nearest military base or recognised security location, adding that the media should help amplify the warning to prevent possible loss of lives.
“We also want you to disseminate to them that they should return them to the military or security locations so that we can disarm those things before they cause greater damage to the individuals who have taken them and to other members of the public,” he added.
The military’s appeal comes amid heightened security concerns in parts of the country, particularly in the North-West, where terrorist activities and the proliferation of illicit weapons continue to threaten lives and property.
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Government has confirmed that investigations are ongoing following a joint airstrike conducted by the Nigerian military in collaboration with the United States against terrorist enclaves in Tangaza Local Government Area.
In a statement issued by the Director-General of Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa, the state government clarified that no civilian casualties were recorded during the operation.
According to the statement, the airstrike formed part of sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist and bandit networks operating within Sokoto State and along Nigeria’s north-western borders, with post-strike assessments still underway.
“The impact of the airstrike could not be immediately determined as assessment reports from the Joint Operations are still being awaited,” the statement noted.
The government also addressed public concerns over the discovery of suspicious objects near Jabo town, stating that conclusions would only be drawn after detailed analysis by relevant Nigeria–U.S. military authorities.
“The circumstances surrounding the objects found in a location near Jabo town could not be immediately explained, as the outcome of analysis by Nigeria–U.S. military authorities is being awaited,” Bawa said.
The Sokoto State Government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting security agencies and called on residents to cooperate fully as investigations and security operations continue across the state.