A Nigerian Air Force airstrike intended to target Lakurawa terrorists in Sokoto State accidentally killed several civilians on Christmas Day. The airstrike hit two communities, Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa, in the Silame Local Government Area, killing at least 10 villagers and injuring several others.
The affected communities are located near the Surame forest, a known hideout for the Lakurawa sect and bandits. A resident of Silame, Malam Yahya, reported that the airstrike occurred around 7 am on Christmas Day, disrupting the holiday celebrations.
The Chairman of Silame Local Government Area, Abubakar Daftarana, confirmed the attack and expressed shock at the devastation. He stated that the villagers were innocent and peaceful, and it was too early to confirm the number of people killed or injured.
The Nigerian Air Force has promised to investigate the fallout of the airstrike. The NAF spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, stated that the operation was conducted based on credible intelligence and surveillance. However, Akinboyewa assured that the force would investigate claims of civilian casualties.
In a related development, the Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma stated that military operations were conducted based on thorough intelligence and reconnaissance missions. The Coordinator, Joint Media Coordination Centre, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullah, said that the targets struck in the vicinity of Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa were associated with the Lakurawa group.
Meanwhile, terrorists launched an attack on a military base in Borno State using armed drones, injuring five soldiers. The attack occurred on Tuesday at the Forward Operating Base located in the Wajiroko area of Damboa Local Government. The military has not confirmed the attack, but a signal sighted by reporters showed that the terrorists used multiple armed drones equipped with locally fabricated grenades.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, warned citizens against engaging in any form of trading or transaction with terrorists, bandits, and other non-state actors. Musa stated that such actions were sabotaging the efforts of the military and other security agencies.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Olufemi Oluyede, celebrated Christmas with troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. During the celebration, Oluyede commended the troops for their dedication to the fight against insurgency in the state. He praised their efforts in recent operations, which led to the deaths and capture of many terrorists in rural communities across the state and the North East region.
