The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced a probe into reports that some civilians were k!lled during an airstrike in Katsina State.
The force, however, insisted that its operation only targeted and neutralized bandits who had attacked personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Katsina State Community Watch Corps.
Reports indicate that at least seven civilians were allegedly k!lled in the airstrike that hit Yauni community in Zakka Ward, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Speaking on the incident, NAF spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, stated that the operation at Yauni Hill on Saturday was a “successful airstrike” that eliminated several bandits.
He explained that the air raid was carried out based on intelligence that terrorists were attacking a PMF location in the community, where they had already k!lled two PMF personnel and four vigilantes.
Describing the reports accusing NAF of k!lling civilians as “distressing,” Akinboyewa insisted that the force operates professionally and adheres strictly to its standard procedures.
Meanwhile, residents of Zakka District in Safana Local Government Area have called on Governor Dikko Umaru Radda to intervene following the military airstrike, which they claim mistakenly k!lled six members of a single family.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Zakka Transformation Forum expressed deep concerns over worsening insecurity in the district, revealing that over 250 people have been killed and more than 600 abducted in the past 15 months.
The forum also highlighted the impact of insecurity on education, stating that only six out of the district’s 56 public primary schools remain functional, while the remaining 50 have been taken over by bandits.
Tag:
Airstrike
Family of Six Reportedly Killed in Alleged Accidental Airstrike in Katsina
written by Arabella Zikora
A family of six was reportedly k!lled by a military airstrike that hit Yauni community, Zakka ward in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.
According to Daily Trust, three other security personnel, including two police officers and an operative of the state owned Community Watch Corps (CWC), were earlier k!lled in a gun duel with bandits.
A resident who pleaded anonymity told the publication that the incident was as a result of the local government election which took place on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
The bandits had reportedly planned to attack voters in Zakka village.
However, having heard of their plan, the security agents reportedly moved to avert its execution which led to exchange of fire with the bandits during which a police officer and a CWC operative lost their lives, while a third police officer who sustained injury later d!ed.
“It was after that incident that the military fighter jet, which most likely came to offer reinforcement, dropped a bomb at Yauni community, south of Zakka, which led to the death of six members of a family, while one woman sustained injuries,” the source said.
ABUJA- The Defence Headquarters says the death of 10 civilians in Gidan Bisa and Gidan Ruutuwa In Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State, was as a result of secondary explosion and not direct military airstrikes.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, gave the clarification while briefing newsmen on Friday in Abuja.
Buba said the troops had on Dec. 25, in a coordinated joint operation conducted between the Air Component and the Land Component of Operation Fassan Yamma, to destroy Lakurawa terrorist groups in their hideouts in the area.
He said that there was confirmed terrorist activities in the area prior to the operation through sustained intelligence, surveillance recognisance conducted for extended period of time to confirm the presence of the terrorists hibernating there.
Pre-operational intelligence surveillance also confirmed terrorist activities within the general area, he said.
“Thereafter, human intelligence were deployed and their reports corroborated the intelligence surveillance and recognition findings, emphasising the strategic importance of neutralising the location.
“After confirmation, aircraft were dispatched to conduct precision air strikes on identified hideouts at about 0600 hours from that date.
“The strike was executed with precision-guided munitions to minimise collateral damage.
“The Land Component was tactically deployed at blocking positions around the target location to prevent the escape of the Lakurawa terrorist group, as well as to provide immediate post-strike assessment and follow-up actions.
“Following the air strikes, ground forces confirmed that the hideout was successfully neutralised with minimal damage observed in the surrounding villages.
“The ground forces interacted with the locals in the area and they confirmed the presence of the terrorists in that general area.
“The ground forces also confirmed that the air strikes achieved its primary objective of neutralising the Lakurawa terrorist group’s hideouts.”
Buba said that the neutralised Lakurawa terrorist combatants were bombed and burnt beyond recognition because they were hit directly by the strike.
He added that the military made sure it minimised civilian casualties in the strike, noting that it was well aware of the presence of the terrorists among the locals.
“In summary, I would say that troops targeted the terrorists and not innocent citizens.
“Every innocent soul lost in the course of our operation is a tragedy and we do sympathise with their loved ones and their families.
“But we must be reminded that our troops are very professional in their actions and are indeed turning the tide against the insurgents and terrorists,” he added. (NAN)