By our reporter
Governor Ahmad has expressed outrage over a tragic airstrike by the Joint Task Force that mistakenly hit two villages in Silame Local Government Area, Sokoto State, instead of targeting Lakurawa terrorist camps. The incident left ten civilians dead and many others, including women and children, injured.
Reacting swiftly to the tragedy, the governor announced a relief package of ₦20 million and 100 bags of food items for the bereaved families. He also pledged full support for the medical care of the injured, vowing that the state government would “continue to cater for the families” affected by the incident.
The villages, Gidan Sama and Runtuma, bore the brunt of the airstrike, which has since sparked public outcry.
Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, spokesperson for Operation Fansan Daji, defended the operation, stating that the airstrike was based on thorough intelligence aimed at disrupting the Lakurawa terrorist group. “The targets struck were positively identified as associated with the Lakurawa group,” he said, adding that such missions prioritize precision to avoid civilian casualties.
The military has urged the public to avoid spreading unverified reports and warned against potential disinformation campaigns by terrorist groups aiming to undermine the fight against banditry and terrorism in the North West.
Despite the assurances, the incident has raised critical questions about the safety of civilians in counterterrorism operations, with calls for greater caution in future missions.
