By Ebi Kesiena
An airstrike by a fighter jet on Wednesday morning reportedly left several villagers feared dead and many others injured in two communities in the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State in Nigeria.
The incident, which occurred around 7 a.m., targeted suspected Lakurawa terrorists who have been terrorising the region. However, the airstrike struck civilian-populated areas in Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa, two villages situated near the Surame Forest — a known hideout for terrorists and bandits.
Eyewitnesses reported that over 10 villagers were killed, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack. However, the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed.
The Chairman of Silame LGA, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Daftarana, expressed deep sorrow over the incident but noted that an official casualty figure could not yet be provided as authorities were still assessing the extent of the damage.
“The villagers were sitting peacefully when the bombs started dropping on their homes. They were innocent and peace-loving people with no criminal records,” Daftarana stated.
He assured that further investigations are ongoing and promised support for the affected families.
The tragic event has sparked widespread grief and concern, as residents and authorities call for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the airstrike.
Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma has addressed reports concerning a military fighter jet allegedly bombing civilian structures in the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
In a statement by Coordinator Joint Media Coordination Centre, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, noted that all military operations are conducted based on thorough intelligence and reconnaissance missions.
He added that this rigorous process is particularly important when targeting groups like the Lakurawa terrorist organization, as it aims to ensure precision and protect civilian lives.
”Given the serious nature of these operations, the public is urged to rely on confirmed information to prevent misinformation and unnecessary panic. There is a significant risk that terrorist groups may attempt to undermine military successes through media disinformation, necessitating caution concerning unverified claims, especially in the ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry.
”Importantly, the targets struck in the vicinity of Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa have been positively identified as associated with the Lakurawa group, reinforcing the justification for the military action taken” he said.
