Residents of Jabo town in Nigeria’s Sokoto State are recounting their experience of a US military airstrike that occurred late Friday night. The sudden and intense event, characterized by a rapidly descending fiery object, initially led many locals to believe a plane had crashed.
Abubakar Shehu Jabo, an Information Officer for Tambuwal Local Government Area, stated the incident took place around 10:30 pm. He explained that the combination of a loud noise and the object’s swift descent from the sky created widespread alarm. “Because of the loud noise and the speed at which the burning object descended, many of us thought it was an air crash,” he said, adding that closer inspection revealed it was something else entirely.
Community leaders are working to reassure residents and emphasize the peaceful nature of the Jabo and neighboring Bargini communities. Muhammadu Abubakar, Sarkin Fawan Jabo, stressed that the area has no known ties to terrorist or bandit groups. He pointed to a single reported kidnapping incident in 2000 as the only significant security concern in recent decades, highlighting the region’s usual tranquility.
“We do not harbor terrorists or bandits in our communities. This place has been calm and peaceful for a very long time, which makes this incident even more disturbing,” Abubakar stated, reflecting a sentiment of bewilderment among locals regarding the strike’s location.
For residents of Bargini, the blast was described as catastrophic. Families were in the process of preparing for bed when a deafening explosion ripped through the night, accompanied by thick smoke and intense flames. This prompted immediate and chaotic evacuations from homes as fear and confusion spread.
The unexpected nature of the US military operation in an area previously considered secure has raised significant questions. Citizens across Nigeria are now voicing concerns about the rationale behind such strikes and the security measures in place, particularly in regions not typically associated with active conflict zones.
