No fewer than 16 vigilantes were reportedly killed in an airstrike in Kakindawa village, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
An indigene of the area, Garba Umar, said that the incident occurred on Saturday evening when the village’s vigilante group was on its way to assist neighbors in Tungar Kara village, who had been attacked by bandits.
NAF spokesman, AVM Olusola Akinboyewa, released a statement, stating that troops of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out a coordinated air and ground assault on Fakai Hills in Zamfara State, neutralising scores of bandits loyal to notorious kingpin, Kachallah Bello Turji.
But Zamfara State Governor, Lawal Dauda’s spokesman, Sulaiman Bala, confirmed both the NAF operations and the civilian casualties.
Bala said, “We have received multiple positive reports of precision strikes carried out by the Air Component of Operation Fansar Yamma over the weekend in troubled Maradun and Zurmi local government areas.
“This intervention by the military has significantly degraded the operational capacity of the bandits and has shown the commitment of the Nigeria Air Force to carrying out its constitutional mandate of protecting civilians and safeguarding the lives and property of the people.”
He, however, expressed regrets that “some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and local vigilantes were also affected during the operation in Tungar Kara, resulting in the loss of lives.”
“We pray to Almighty Allah to grant them Jannah. The state government extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen JTF personnel and assures them that the sacrifices of the deceased will not go in vain.
“The government will provide necessary support and assistance to the bereaved families,” the governor’s aide said.
Umar of Kakindawa village, who spoke about the accidental bombing, explained that the vigilantes were heading to Tungar Kara around 3:30 p.m, when they fell victims.
He explained that as soon as the NAF aircraft arrived, it dropped a bomb on the vigilantes, despite the fact that the bandits had already left the area.
The bombardment reportedly led to the death of 16 people, including Umar’s son.
He recounted, “The bandits went to Tungar Kara village and attempted to rustle animals and kidnap the inhabitants.
When contacted for comment, the Public Relations Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, said he would investigate the matter.
“I will investigate and get back to you,” Abdullahi said.
This Zamfara accidentally bombing comes only weeks after the Christmas Day accidental bombing of civilians in two communities in the Silame Local Government by the Nigerian Air Force.
An airstrike, intended to neutralise Lakurawa terrorists, mistakenly hit Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities, killing at least 10 villagers and leaving several others wounded.