Another military airstrike kills 16 civilians in Zamfara
About 16 residents were reportedly killed after a military airstrike tore through Tungar Kara community, Maradun LGA of Zamfara state.
SolaceBase reports that this is coming less than three weeks after a military airstrike killed ten civilians in the Gidan Bisa and Rumtuwa area of Sokoto.
A counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama on Sunday quoted intelligence sources as saying the victims include members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG), vigilantes, and residents of the community who were called to respond to the incursion of gunmen.
“The vigilantes were mistaken for bandits, shortly after the bandits had fled the scene,” the report said.
“So far, 16 dead bodies have been retrieved, but the total number of casualties is not yet clear.”
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A resident in the area told The Punch that the incident occurred on Saturday evening as local vigilantes were heading to assist neighbours in Tungar Kara Village, which was under attack by bandits.
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The resident, who lost a son in the airstrike, said the vigilantes were mobilised after receiving reports of bandits rustling livestock and attempting to abduct villagers. He added that 16 people were killed.
“As we were heading to Tungar Kara around 3:30 pm, an aircraft suddenly appeared in the area and dropped a bomb on the vigilantes. The bandits had already escaped into the forest,” the source said.
“We mobilised to protect our neighbours, but tragically, the aircraft targeted the vigilantes instead of the fleeing bandits. It’s heartbreaking.”
A lawmaker representing Maradun II Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly Maharazu Salisu Gado Faru confirmed the incident.
He described the airstrike as an accident, stating that it targeted local vigilantes who had mobilized to counter the bandits.
According to the lawmaker, the exact death toll remains unconfirmed at this time.
Meanwhile, in a statement on Sunday, Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) headquarters, Olusola Akinboyewa, said “a devastatingly well-coordinated air-ground assault executed on 10 January 2025” through Operation Fansan Yamma, “delivered a crushing blow to banditry in Zamfara state”.
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“Local intelligence reports confirmed that the bandits, loyal to notorious leader Kachallah Bello Turji, suffered heavy casualties. Scores of bandits were neutralized, while many others, including some top commanders, sustained varying degrees of injuries.
“Sequel to the fierce engagement, Kachallah Turji’s whereabouts remain unknown, adding further pressure on his crumbling network.
“The operation was meticulously executed, with real-time coordination from an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform overhead, ensuring accurate target correlation.
“The identified targets were swiftly engaged using rockets and cannons in multiple passes, delivering devastating blows to the enemy.
“The aircrew maintained visual and radio contact with the ground troops. The bandits, in a desperate bid to escape, were observed fleeing eastward of the hill, prompting further engagements that successfully neutralized additional targets.”
The statement added that residents of Zamfara communities have hailed NAF’s operations against bandits.
“This resounding success has been met with widespread celebrations from locals in Zamfara state, who expressed relief and gratitude for the operation’s positive impact,” the statement added.
“In a heartening outcome, several kidnapped victims were also freed, bringing hope to many families affected by the banditry.
“The Nigerian Air Force has reiterated its unwavering commitment to coordinating with ground forces to eradicate all forms of criminality in the country.
“Together, we will defeat all enemies militating against the security of our territories and wellbeing of our people, paving the way for the peace and prosperity of our Great Nation.”
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