On Wednesday, a devastating incident unfolded in the northwestern state of Sokoto, Nigeria, as a Nigerian military fighter jet mistakenly bombed civilians while pursuing bandits in two villages. The tragic event resulted in the loss of at least 10 lives and left several others wounded.
State Governor Ahmed Aliyu expressed deep regret over the incident, attributing it to a mistaken targeting of innocent people during a mission to eliminate criminal armed groups that have been causing terror in the state. The affected villages were identified as Gidan Sama and Rintuwa in the Surame local government area.
In response to the tragedy, Governor Aliyu announced plans for a collaborative investigation involving various authorities to shed light on the military operation that led to the civilian casualties. The military, in a statement issued later, confirmed that the airstrikes were intended to target locations associated with the Lakurawa group, a new insurgent group that has been reported to be infiltrating the northwest region from neighboring Niger and Mali.
The deadly air assault took place early in the morning, with two military jets dropping bombs in the vicinity of the affected villages. The local government chairman reported that the incident occurred at around 0500 GMT, causing widespread devastation and loss of life.
This tragic event highlights the ongoing challenges of insecurity in northwest Nigeria, where criminal activities and armed groups continue to pose a threat to the safety and well-being of the local population. The incident also serves as a stark reminder of the complex security landscape facing the country, with different regions grappling with various forms of violence and insurgency.
