An air raid intended to target the Lakurawa terrorist group inadvertently struck two villages in Sokoto State’s Silame Local Government Area, resulting in significant loss of life and injuries among residents.
The incident, which occurred around 7 a.m., affected Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities.
According to Malam Yahya, a resident of Silame, the villages are situated near Surame Forest, an area notorious for harbouring Lakurawa terrorists and criminal gangs.
Reports indicate that at least 10 civilians were killed, with many others injured.
“The bombs rained down while the villagers were peacefully going about their day. These were innocent people with no ties to criminal activity,” shared a local source.
Silame LGA chairman Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Daftarana confirmed the attack, stating that officials are still assessing the extent of the damage. He refrained from providing a precise casualty count.
Meanwhile, the police have refrained from commenting on the incident, clarifying that the operation did not involve their personnel.