At least 10 civilians were reportedly killed on Christmas Day in a misdirected military airstrike intended to target Lakurawa terrorists in the Silame Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State. The incident occurred around 7 a.m., with bombs striking Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa villages, according to Daily Trust.
“The villagers were sitting peacefully when the bombs started dropping,” said Abubakar Daftarana, the Chairman of Silame LGA. “They were innocent, peace-loving people who had no criminal record.”
Daftarana noted that assessments are ongoing to determine the exact number of casualties and injuries resulting from the attack.
Military Justifies Action
The Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma defended the strikes, asserting that the targets were “positively identified” as linked to the Lakurawa terrorist group.
Lieutenant Colonel Abdullahi Abubakar, spokesperson for the task force, stated:
“These operations are based on rigorous intelligence to ensure precision and minimize civilian casualties. The public is urged to avoid misinformation, as terrorist groups may exploit such incidents to undermine military successes.”
The Nigerian Air Force is yet to issue a statement addressing the reported civilian casualties.
The Lakurawa group, recently declared a terrorist organization, has operated in Sokoto and Kebbi States for years. Initially invited as mercenaries to combat bandits, the al-Qaeda-linked group gained control in some communities, enforcing extremist laws and turning against their hosts.
This incident highlights the complex and volatile nature of counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria, as authorities balance the fight against insurgency with the imperative to safeguard civilian lives.
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