A fighter jet has mistakenly bombed two communities, Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa, located near the Surame forest, a known hideout for the Lakurawa sect and bandits in the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at about 2pm near the popular IMAN Restaurant on Bauchi Road, where the bus suddenly ran into the celebrants as a result of suspected faulty brake, left at least 10 innocent villagers dead and several others injured.
The Press Secretary to the Sokoto State Governor, Abubakar Bawa, said visited the two communities that were bombed by the military fighter jets.
The governor sympathised with the community and described the incident as unfortunate.
“The military jets were on their mission to eliminate criminals armed groups terrorizing the state, and mistakenly bombed innocent people of this community,” he said.
“We consider this as a mistake because the same military had on several occasions successfully raided so many criminal hideouts in the state.”
Aliyu stated that a thorough investigation would be conducted to find out what led to the avoidable mistake, so as to guard against its recurrence.
He also rayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased and give their families the strength to bear the loss.
Also, the Chairman of Silame Local Government Area, Abubakar Mohammed Daftarana, confirmed the attack and expressed shock at the devastation.
“The villagers were sitting peacefully when the bombs started dropping on the communities. They were innocent and peace-loving people who had no criminal record.
“It is too early to confirm the number of people either killed or injured because we are still assessing the development,” he said.
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He said the fighter jets were reportedly targeting Lakurawa terrorists, adding that the team was working to assess the level of damage and casualties emanating from the airstrike
Following the inclident, the Nigerian Air Force has promised to investigate the fallout of the airstrike.
NAF spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, stated that the operation was conducted based on credible intelligence and surveillance.
However, Akinboyewa assured that the force would investigate claims of civilian casualties.
“The airstrikes were conducted based on credible intelligence from multiple sources, along with confirmatory aerial surveillance. Nevertheless, reports of possible harm to civilians will be thoroughly investigated and we will update you appropriately,” he said.
Also, the Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma said military operations were conducted based on thorough intelligence and reconnaissance missions.
In a statement on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullah, Coordinator, Joint Media Coordination Centre, Operation Fansan Yamma, said the targets struck in the vicinity of Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa were associated with the Lakurawa group.
He said, “However, it is crucial to clarify that all military operations are conducted based on thorough intelligence and reconnaissance missions.
“This rigorous process is particularly important when targeting groups like the Lakurawa terrorist organisation, 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.”
According to Daftarana, it is too early to confirm the number of people either killed or injured because assessment is still ongoing.
Efforts to speak with the police authority to confirm the incident were unsuccessful, and the mobile number of the Sokoto State Police Command’s spokesman was not connected.
Shortly after, the military authorities issued a statement on the incident.
The spokesman for Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, however, did not confirm if military jets struck the communities.
He admitted that there is a significant risk that Lakurawa and other 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.”
“The Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma has addressed recent reports concerning a military fighter jet allegedly bombing civilian structures in the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State,” he said.
“These reports have raised concerns; however, it is crucial to clarify that all military operations are conducted based on thorough intelligence and reconnaissance missions. This rigorous process is particularly important when targeting groups like the Lakurawa terrorist organisation, 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.
“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.”
