An early morning airstrike on Wednesday in Sokoto State’s Gidan Bisa and Runtuwa communities has left 10 civilians dead, raising concerns and conflicting accounts between local authorities and the military.
The attack, which occurred at 6 a.m., involved military jets reportedly targeting bandits in the Silame Local Government Area. However, council chairman Hon. Abubakar Gitta Rana described the incident as an “erroneous” strike that killed innocent villagers and livestock.
The military’s Joint Task Force (JTF) North West, Operation Fasan Yamma, defended the operation, stating it targeted Lakurawa terrorists and denied hitting civilian structures. In a statement, Lt. Col. Abdullahi Abubakar warned against misinformation allegedly spread by terrorist groups and their collaborators.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu, accompanied by APC leader Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and Labour Minister Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, visited the affected communities to console the victims’ families.
Speaking at the funeral prayers for the deceased, Governor Aliyu described the incident as a tragic mistake. “The jets were on a mission to eliminate criminal groups but mistakenly bombed innocent civilians. This is unfortunate, and a thorough investigation will be conducted to prevent future occurrences,” he said.
The state government announced ₦20 million in support and 100 bags of foodstuffs for the bereaved families. Additionally, it pledged to cover medical expenses for those injured in the airstrike.
The incident highlights the challenges of conducting military operations in conflict-prone areas and has sparked calls for improved measures to protect civilian lives during anti-terror operations.