Hotel Owner Claims Staff Injured by Debris from U.S. Airstrike in Nigeria

A hotel owner in Kwara State, Nigeria, has reported that three of his employees were hospitalized after debris from munitions struck his property, contradicting official statements that there were no civilian casualties from recent U.S. airstrikes.

The incident occurred on Christmas Day at the Solid Worth Hotel in Offa, following U.S. military operations targeting militants linked to the Islamic State group in northwestern Sokoto State, approximately 800 kilometers away.

Hotel owner Taofeek Bello stated that what appeared to be a missile hit his building late in the evening. “It landed inside the hotel building, caused a little bit of damage, injured three staff,” Bello told AFP. He described one worker as suffering a “traumatic” injury requiring psychiatric care, another with a severe head wound, and a third with leg injuries. All three remain hospitalized.

This account directly conflicts with statements from Nigerian authorities. Federal officials acknowledged debris fell in Offa but reported no civilian casualties. Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala reiterated on Monday that “there were no casualties except the terrorist(s).”

Bello said the debris hit an unoccupied room in the 22-room hotel, and photographs shared with AFP appeared to show security forces examining and collecting what looked like a missile head. The Kwara State police confirmed that investigations are ongoing.

The U.S. strikes, described by Information Minister Mohammed Idris as targeting ISIS elements attempting to enter Nigeria from the Sahel, highlight the nation’s ongoing struggle against multiple jihadist groups.

The government maintains the operation was successful, with all expended munition debris causing no harm to civilians despite the emerging contradictory report from Offa.