By Demola Akinyemi, ILORIN
Tension currently pervades,Offa community in Offa local government area of Kwara state following explosions that rocked parts of the town late Thursday night, destroying properties and causing widespread fear.
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The explosions occurred barely hours after the United States President, Donald Trump, announced U.S. airstrikes against ISIS targets in parts of northwest Nigeria, including Sokoto State, on Christmas Day.
Authorities, however, are yet to establish any link between incident in Offa ,a Muslim dominated community and the U.S. airstrikes.
Vanguard reliably gathered that as of this morning, no casualty has been reported, while investigations by security agencies continue.
Vanguard however gathered that the explosions occurred at two different locations around midnight on Christmas Day.
Impeccable sources in Offa told Vanguard that several buildings were affected around the Eid praying ground area, while a second explosion was recorded near Solid Worth Hotel, about a five-minute walk from the first location.
The third location is another shortly after Solid Worth hotel, within the same vicinity.
Vanguard further gathered that an undetonated explosive device was later recovered at the second location, prompting security agencies to cordon off the affected areas.
As at the time of this report, the source and nature of the explosions have not been officially confirmed.
Contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman of Offa Local Government, Abiola Azeez Babatunde,who confirmed the development said that the council is aware of reports circulating about a suspected ordinance-related incident around the Offa Yidi praying ground.
In a statement, the local government said security agencies have secured the scene and commenced investigations.
The statement also revealed that the Executive Chairman of Offa Local Government Area, Hon. Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, visited the affected areas shortly after the incident to assess the situation.
The council chairman urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding, advising the public to rely on credible and official sources for information in order to avoid panic.
The Offa Local Government assured residents of its commitment to their safety and said it will continue to work closely with relevant authorities until investigations are concluded.
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