An airstrike in North West Nigeria has resulted in the deaths of several civilians and livestock, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for accountability.
The council chairman, Hon. Abubakar Gitta Rana, described the incident as an “erroneous” attack on innocent villagers.
However, the Joint Task Force (JTF) North West, Operation Fasan Yamma, maintained that the operation was aimed at eliminating Lakurawa terrorists. In a statement, Lt. Col. Abdullahi Abubakar defended the airstrike, asserting its justification and warning against the spread of misinformation by terrorist groups and their collaborators.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu visited the affected communities alongside state APC leader Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and Labour Minister Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi to condole with the victims’ families. During the visit, he participated in funeral prayers for those killed and 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,” Aliyu said.
The state government announced a ₦20 million donation and 100 bags of foodstuffs to support the bereaved families. Additionally, it pledged to cover medical expenses for those injured in the airstrike.
The incident underscores the challenges of precision in military operations and raises critical questions about accountability in counterterrorism efforts.
