Outrage as Military Airstrike Claimed Many Lives in Zamfara

Reports indicate that multiple individuals have lost their lives in an airstrike that targeted Kakindawa village, located in the Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

On Saturday evening, Garba Umar, a local resident, witnessed the incident as vigilantes rushed to aid villagers in Tungar Kara, who were under attack from bandits.

Umar stated that the vigilante group took action after reports emerged of bandits stealing livestock and trying to kidnap residents.

“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,” Umar recounted.

He alleged that 16 people, including his own son, were killed in the airstrike.

“We mobilised to protect our neighbours, but tragically, the aircraft targeted the vigilantes instead of the fleeing bandits. It’s heartbreaking,” Umar alleged.

Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi had said on Sunday morning that he would investigate the matter and provide further details.

“I will look into what actually happened and get back to you,” Abdullahi said.

However, as of the time of filing this report, no additional information had been provided.

Meanwhile, it was reported in November 2024 that the Nigerian Air Force said airstrikes conducted in Zamfara State killed numerous bandits, including key loyalists of the notorious bandit leaders, Dan-Isuhu and Dogo Sule.

Similarly, four days ago, on January 8, 2025, troops of the same Operation Fansan Yamma reportedly killed a notorious terrorist leader, Sani Rusu.

The strike also claimed scores of his foot soldiers during a gunfight in Bamamu village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.