The quiet town of Offa, Kwara State, was jolted on Christmas night when debris from a U.S. military airstrike in far-off Sokoto landed on a local hotel, injuring three staff members and sparking alarm across the community.
At approximately 10 p.m. on December 25, 2025, Taofeek Azeez Bello, owner of the 22‑room Solid Worth Hotel, heard a thunderous crash. “Suddenly, a bomb‑missile—allegedly fired by the U.S. military—hit my hotel,” he recounted. “It struck an unoccupied room, causing minor structural damage, but tragically injured three of my employees.”
The injured workers were rushed to nearby hospitals. One suffered a severe head wound, another sustained injuries to the legs and lap, and the third experienced what Bello described as a “traumatic” reaction, prompting transfer to a psychiatric facility. All three remain under medical care.
Bello shared photographs with AFP showing what appeared to be a missile component being examined and collected by security forces. Only two rooms were occupied at the time; no guests were harmed.
The incident follows the surprise U.S. raid on Christmas Day, which targeted militants linked to the Islamic State group operating in Sokoto’s Tangaza district. Nigerian authorities confirmed that debris from the strikes fell in several locations, including Offa and Jabo in Sokoto, but insisted there were “no civilian casualties.”
Daniel Bwala, spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, reiterated this stance on Monday, stating: “There were no casualties except the terrorists.” The Nigerian government, through Information Minister Mohammed Idris, said the strikes were aimed at “ISIS elements attempting to penetrate Nigeria from the Sahel corridor.”
However, Kwara State police acknowledged the incident and confirmed investigations are ongoing. “As of this moment, there are no details yet,” a police spokesperson told AFP.
The attack underscores Nigeria’s ongoing battle against multiple jihadist groups, including factions tied to the Islamic State, and raises concerns about the unintended consequences of cross‑border counter‑terror operations. Neighbouring countries are also grappling with IS‑linked threats, and analysts warn that such conflicts risk spilling over into Nigeria’s wider region.
Solid Worth Hotel, a modest two‑star establishment, sits roughly 800 km from the Sokoto strike zone — a stark reminder that the fallout from high‑altitude military actions can reach far beyond intended targets.
