The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has cautioned residents against picking up or keeping unexploded ordnance from locations affected by recent joint United States air strikes in Sokoto State.
The US launched 16 precision-guided munitions (PGMs) against ISIS-linked terrorists in Sokoto on Christmas Day, striking two major enclaves in the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area.
However, some debris from the strikes reportedly landed in Offa, Kwara State, with residents in nearby communities reporting explosions at the same time the air strikes were carried out in Sokoto.
The presidency had earlier said the attacks were conducted at the request of the Nigerian government.
Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, told journalists on Friday that specialised ordnance disposal units of the armed forces had been deployed to recover debris and other remnants from the strikes.
“We do not expect civilians to pick up or keep such materials,” he said, adding, “we can only appeal to them to return all materials that may prove harmful to them.”
The warning followed the circulation of online videos showing residents scavenging debris and unexploded ordnance at strike locations in Sokoto, raising concerns over the risk of fatal explosions.
In Kwara State, an undetonated explosive device was reportedly found at one of the two blast sites, leading to increased security measures in the area.
