Tragic Mistake: Airstrike in Sokoto Targets Villages, Killing 10 and Sparkling Controversy
An airstrike in the Sokoto communities of Gidan Bisa and Runtuwa has tragically claimed the lives of 10 civilians, with conflicting accounts emerging between local authorities and the military.
The incident, which occurred at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, saw bombs dropped by military jets reportedly targeting bandits in Silame Local Government Area. However, local officials, including Hon. Abubakar Gitta Rana, the council chairman, condemned the attack, describing it as a “tragic mistake” that killed innocent villagers and livestock. Rana called the strike an “erroneous” attack on civilians, raising concerns over the accuracy of the operation.
On the other hand, the Joint Task Force (JTF) North West, under Operation Fasan Yamma, defended the airstrike, stating that it was aimed at Lakurawa terrorists. Lt. Col. Abdullahi Abubakar, spokesperson for the JTF, insisted that the operation was justified and denied any civilian structures had been targeted. He cautioned against misinformation spread by terrorist groups and their collaborators.
In response to the tragedy, Governor Ahmed Aliyu, alongside state APC leader Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and Labour Minister Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, visited the affected communities to offer condolences. During the visit, Governor Aliyu participated in the funeral prayers for the deceased and described the airstrike 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 stated.
The state government has pledged ₦20 million in donations and 100 bags of foodstuffs to assist the bereaved families. Additionally, it promised to cover the medical expenses of those injured in the attack.
