An explosion late Thursday night damaged parts of four residential buildings in Offa, Kwara State, leaving about five people injured, including a couple and their young daughter.
The incident occurred along the Offa–Ijagbo Road, triggering panic among residents of the area.
A landlady whose property was affected said the incident happened at about 10 p.m. when she noticed a strange humming sound moments before an unidentified object fell onto her building.
“I don’t know exactly what happened. Something landed on the ground. I can’t really describe it,” the woman, identified as Victoria Macharty, said.
She explained that security officials arrived the following morning to recover the debris. “It was this morning that they came and picked up the object. There was a small box, another item that looked like rims, and pieces of iron,” she added.
According to her, residents cordoned off the area overnight to prevent interference with the scene. “We stayed here and did not allow anyone to enter, so nobody would pick anything. This morning, the chairman of our local government came with what was said to be an anti-bomb unit, and they packed the items.”
Macharty listed the damages to her property to include “the fence, the house, and two windows.”
Another eyewitness, who spoke off camera, said an artisan was also injured, while four adjoining buildings suffered severe damage from the impact.
While assessing the situation, the Chairman of Offa Local Government Area, Olatunji Sulaiman, sought to calm residents, stressing that the incident was not a bomb explosion. He said military personnel had visited the site and were still examining the material involved.
“Only a few homes were affected, and the situation has been taken care of,” Sulaiman said.
“We cannot yet say exactly what happened because investigations are ongoing. After the examination and report, we will be able to say what exactly occurred.
“But we want to clear the air for the public that this was not a bomb explosion or a plane crash. It is an incident under investigation. Thankfully, there was no casualty, and the situation is calm.”
Confirming security involvement, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Adekimi Ojo, said in a telephone interview that the incident involved an ordinance, adding that IED experts had already evacuated the debris from the area.
What you should know
The explosion in Offa has drawn attention due to its timing and the uncertainty surrounding its cause.
While initial fears suggested a bomb blast, local and state authorities have consistently ruled this out, emphasizing that investigations are still ongoing. Security agencies, including military personnel and IED experts, have secured the scene and removed the debris for analysis. Although several residents sustained injuries and properties were damaged, officials insist the situation is under control and poses no further threat.
The final outcome of the investigation is expected to clarify the nature of the object involved and prevent misinformation.
