A military airstrike targeting the Lakurawa terrorist group has reportedly claimed the lives of several villagers and left many injured in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 7 a.m. on Wednesday, affected the communities of Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa. Residents revealed that the two villages are situated near Surame Forest, a known hideout for the Lakurawa group and other bandits.
Malam Yahya, a local resident, reported that the airstrike, intended to target terrorists, mistakenly hit civilian settlements. Another source disclosed that over 10 villagers lost their lives, while many others sustained various injuries during the incident.
Confirming the unfortunate event, the chairman of Silame LGA, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Daftarana, stated that authorities are still assessing the extent of the damage caused by the strike.
“The villagers were sitting peacefully when the bombs started dropping on the communities. They were innocent and peace-loving people who had no any criminal record.
“It was early for me to confirm the number of people either killed or injured because we are still assessing the development,” he said.
When contacted the Spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i declined comment on the matter, saying it was not the police operation.
