Residents of Tangaza and Tambuwal Local Government Areas of Sokoto State have confirmed separate drone attacks on their communities, alleging the strikes were carried out by the United States military.
Findings by ARISE News correspondent show that one of the incidents occurred in Jabo District of Tambuwal Local Government Area, a community residents say had not previously been affected by insecurity.
Locals said the incident triggered widespread panic after an object resembling a small aircraft was seen approaching the community. One resident recounted that they were seated when they noticed the object moving towards the area.
Residents said the impact created a very large hole, while fire was still burning at the site. They added that the object did not fall on any houses and that nobody was injured.
They also claimed to have recovered metal fragments from the scene, which they said would be handed over to local authorities for investigation.
In Tangaza Local Government Area, residents also confirmed attacks on locations believed to be hideouts of the Lakurawa group. A local government official, who requested anonymity, said the strikes occurred between 10 p.m. and midnight at Warriya and Alkasim villages.
He said authorities were yet to determine the full impact of the attacks, including whether there were civilian casualties. “Security operatives are expected to visit the affected areas in the morning to verify what happened,” the official said.
However, multiple sources, including local authorities, said no airstrikes were recorded in the eastern part of Sokoto State, an area that has experienced banditry for over a decade.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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