THE RUMOR: A viral video is circulating claiming that the US Military launched a drone bomb attack in Offa, Kwara State, following a recent statement by President Donald Trump about targeting ISIS in Nigeria.
THE VERDICT: FALSE.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED: There was no bombing. The object seen in the video is not a bomb and not a drone.
THE EVIDENCE (What you are seeing in the video):
It is an External Fuel Tank (Drop Tank):
The cylindrical object lying on the ground is an empty external fuel tank (often called a “drop tank”).
Fighter jets (like the Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jets or F-7Ni) carry these under their wings to fly longer distances.
How do we know? A real bomb or missile has fins for guidance and a warhead that explodes on impact. This object is smooth and clearly hollow/lightweight metal. If this were a bomb, there would be a massive crater and the building would be leveled, not just damaged by falling debris.
Why the “Loud Explosion”?
When a pilot experiences a technical emergency, they must “jettison” (drop) these tanks to lighten the aircraft for a safe landing.
When a large metal tank hits the ground from thousands of feet up, it creates a massive sonic boom and impact noise that sounds exactly like an explosion to people on the ground.
Geography & Context:
Offa (Kwara State) is in North Central Nigeria, hundreds of miles away from the primary conflict zones in the North West or North East where ISIS/ISWAP operate.
President Trump’s recent statement referenced strikes in the North West (specifically targeting bandits/terrorists), not peaceful towns in Kwara State.
CONCLUSION: Please stop sharing the “Drone Attack” narrative. It causes unnecessary fear. This was likely a Nigerian Air Force jet experiencing a technical issue and dropping its tank to prevent a crash. This is a known safety procedure, not an act of war on Offa.
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