Nigerian military authorities have appealed to residents in parts of Sokoto State to voluntarily surrender any explosives or suspicious items taken from areas hit by recent airstrikes, warning that such materials pose serious safety risks and could detonate accidentally.
The appeal follows precision air operations carried out late on December 25 and into the early hours of December 26, 2025, which targeted Islamic State–linked militant camps in the Bauni Forest area of the state. The strikes were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities and focused on disrupting extremist groups operating along the Sahel corridor.
According to military officials, the operation relied on intelligence and employed guided munitions and unmanned aerial platforms to neutralise identified threats while avoiding civilian casualties. Post-strike assessments are still ongoing, with authorities saying further details will be released after evaluations are completed.
Although the military has maintained that no civilians were harmed, debris and unidentified objects reportedly fell near some communities, raising concerns among residents. As a result, locals have been urged to immediately hand over any looted explosives or remnants of ordnance to security agencies.
The military said the request is aimed at preventing accidental explosions and ensuring a proper assessment of the strike areas, noting that unexploded materials can remain dangerous long after an operation.
Residents have also been encouraged to report the locations of any suspicious objects to security personnel, as community cooperation is considered crucial to maintaining safety during cleanup efforts.
The Sokoto State Government earlier confirmed the airstrikes, describing them as part of wider measures to protect lives and property from extremist threats. Authorities have continued to reassure residents that civilian protection remained a priority throughout the operation.
Community leaders and traditional rulers have meanwhile called for calm, urging residents to cooperate fully with security agencies in the interest of public safety as the affected areas recover from the military action.
