Men suspected to be herdsmen in Jabo community, Sokoto State, were seen handling fragments of a bomb reportedly dropped by the U.S. military on Christmas Day, while mocking the American military and claiming Nigerians are stronger than any foreign or local armed force.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, the men, dressed in traditional herdsmen attire, were seen rolling and playing with metallic fragments, laughing and chanting in Hausa. One of them urged the others to “show their strength” while praying that the object would not explode.
The men ridiculed the American military, calling it a disgrace, and claimed that nuclear weapons would never succeed in Nigeria. “Army, you are a disgrace. We Nigerians supersede you. Nothing can defeat us except God’s wish,” one of the men said in the video. Another added, “All your bad wishes return back to you. America, you have been disgraced.”
The incident has drawn concern from Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ), which had earlier warned residents to return explosive materials taken from the Jabo blast site, citing the grave danger posed to civilians. Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, stressed that only trained military personnel should recover and neutralise explosive devices.
“We appeal to those in possession of these materials to return them to the military or designated security locations for safe disarmament,” Onoja said, urging media outlets to help disseminate the warning.
