By Adenike Lawal
A military fighter jet mistakenly bombed two communities in the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Wednesday, killing at least 10 villagers and injuring several others.
The Sokoto State Government confirmed the incident in an official statement.
Governor Abubakar Bawa, through his Press Secretary, described the incident as a regrettable mistake during military operations targeting armed groups terrorizing the region.
While expressing condolences to the victims’ families, the governor noted that the military had previously achieved success in similar operations.
He pledged a thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences and prayed for the deceased.
Abubakar Mohammed Daftarana, Chairman of Silame Local Government Area, identified the affected villages as Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa.
He explained that the jets were targeting Lakurawa terrorists but inadvertently hit civilian areas.
He added that the exact casualty figures were still being assessed.
Efforts to reach the police for further details were unsuccessful.
However, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, spokesman for Operation Fansan Yamma, addressed the concerns.
While refraining from confirming whether military jets had struck the communities, he warned against misinformation and emphasized that military operations are based on rigorous intelligence to minimize civilian casualties.
The Joint Task Force North West also clarified that the areas near Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa were confirmed terrorist hideouts, justifying the military action.
They reiterated their commitment to precision and safeguarding civilian lives in ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
