Many Feared Dead In Alleged Zamfara Airstrike

An airstrike in Kakindawa village, Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State, is said to have killed a number of people.

Garba Umar, a resident of the area, told The PUNCH that the incident occurred on Saturday evening as local vigilantes were heading to assist neighbors in Tungar Kara village, which had come under attack by bandits.

According to Umar, the vigilante group mobilized after receiving reports of bandits rustling livestock and attempting to abduct villagers.

“As we were heading to Tungar Kara around 3:30 pm, an aircraft suddenly appeared in the area and dropped a bomb on the vigilantes. The bandits had already escaped into the forest,” Umar recounted.

He alleged that 16 people, including his own son, were killed in the airstrike.

“We mobilized to protect our neighbors, but tragically, the aircraft targeted the vigilantes instead of the fleeing bandits. It’s heartbreaking,” Umar alleged.

Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, told The PUNCH on Sunday morning that he would investigate the matter and provide further details.

“I will look into what actually happened and get back to you,” Abdullahi said.

However, as of the time of filing this report, no additional information had been provided.

Meanwhile, PUNCH Online reported in November 2024 that the Nigerian Air Force said airstrikes conducted in Zamfara State killed numerous bandits, including key loyalists of the notorious bandit leaders, Dan-Isuhu and Dogo Sule.

Similarly, four days ago, on January 8, 2025, troops of the same Operation Fansan Yamma reportedly killed a notorious terrorist leader, Sani Rusu, and scores of his foot soldiers during a gunfight in Bamamu village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.