- An airstrike in Sokoto State killed 10 civilians in the communities of Gidan Bisa and Runtuwa.
- The military claimed the operation targeted Lakurawa terrorists, but local authorities described it as an “erroneous” attack on innocent villagers.
- Governor Ahmed Aliyu visited the affected communities, condemned the incident, and promised a thorough investigation.
- The state government donated ₦20 million and 100 bags of foodstuffs to assist the bereaved families.
- The incident highlights the challenges of precision in military operations and raises questions about accountability in counterterrorism efforts.
A tragic airstrike occurred in two Sokoto communities, Gidan Bisa and Runtuwa, leaving 10 civilians dead and sparking conflicting accounts between local authorities and the military. The incident happened at 6 a.m. on Wednesday when military jets reportedly pursuing bandits in Silame Local Government Area dropped bombs .
The council chairman, Hon. Abubakar Gitta Rana, described the airstrike as an “erroneous” attack on innocent villagers, which also killed livestock. However, the Joint Task Force (JTF) North West, Operation Fasan Yamma, insisted that the operation targeted Lakurawa terrorists and denied hitting civilian structures.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu visited the affected communities, participated in funeral prayers for the deceased, and described the incident as a tragic mistake. He assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to prevent future occurrences. The state government also donated ₦20 million and 100 bags of foodstuffs to assist the bereaved families and pledged to cover the medical expenses of those injured in the airstrike .
