"In the aftermath of the US airstrikes on Islamic State positions in Sokoto State, local residents experienced a night filled with fear and confusion. These strikes, ordered by President Donald Trump on Thursday, were in response to accusations that the militant group had carried out mass killings of Christians in the area. "This is an unfortunate situation. We all had a sleepless night due to fear of the unknown, especially after witnessing how the bomb landed, broke into pieces, and caught fire. Our community is currently in a serious and distressing condition," said Bashar Jabo, a local business owner. "By God’s mercy, the explosive did not land in our houses but fell into the bush. This is something we have never witnessed in this country - until today, in the Jabo Community of Tambuwal LGA," explained Malam Aliyu Jabo, a community leader. Footage also features police officers cordoning off the site of the landing points, marking the crater and collecting debris. Residents gathered nearby, observing the damage and discussing the incident. "This is the exact spot where the bomb first landed before bouncing to another point and breaking into pieces, which is when the flames started. It created a large crater, though it now appears smaller than it did yesterday due to people and children visiting the site. Some children picked up fragments of the bomb, while the remaining debris has been taken by the military," an eyewitness, Lukuman Myhammad, explained. Authorities said security and emergency teams remain on alert to prevent any further incidents and to ensure the safety of residents in the surrounding areas. The US airstrikes are part of ongoing operations against Islamic State factions in Nigeria, which have been linked to targeted killings and attacks on civilians, particularly Christian communities. The Nigerian Foreign Ministry confirmed the strikes early Friday, stating they were part of 'structured security cooperation' in countering the "persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism." The Nigerian government said the groups target Nigerians of all faiths, stressing that the strikes are part of wider efforts to stabilise the region after the president declared a national security emergency in November. The strikes were reportedly carried out by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) 'at the request of Nigerian authorities'. An hour later, the Pentagon has, however, amended its post on social media platform X about strikes, replacing it with a statement about the attack being carried out 'in coordination with Nigerian authorities'. In November, Trump threatened to completely withdraw US aid and to directly intervene in the alleged 'mass slaughter' and persecution of the Christian population in Nigeria, which Abuja has denied. More than 7,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria in the first half of 2025, mostly in the northern 'Middle Belt', according to the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law and other international watchdogs. According to an Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) report, over 413 million Christians live in countries without religious freedom, and 280 million face direct persecution."