The Defence Headquarters has issued an urgent warning to residents to stop picking, keeping, or scavenging unexploded ordnance and debris from areas hit during recent joint United States air strikes on ISIS terrorists.
The warning comes at a time when disturbing online clips showing civilians handling bomb remnants at strike locations in Sokoto State.
On Christmas Day, the United States launched 16 precision-guided munitions against ISIS enclaves in the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto, targeting two major terrorist camps.
The Presidency said the strikes were carried out at the request of the Nigerian government.
However, fallout from the operation reportedly reached Offa, Kwara State, where residents also experienced explosions around the same time the strikes were executed in Sokoto.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, said specialised military ordnance units had been deployed to recover all dangerous remnants from the strikes.
“We do not expect civilians to pick up or keep such materials,” he said, adding, “we can only appeal to them to return all materials that may prove harmful to them.”
The appeal followed growing fears that mishandling unexploded devices could trigger fatal blasts.
In Kwara State, security sources confirmed that an undetonated explosive device was discovered at one of two blast sites, prompting heightened security and emergency safety measures.
Military authorities have urged residents to stay clear of strike areas and immediately report any suspicious objects, warning that a single mistake could prove deadly.
