Military Jet Mistakenly Bombs Katsina Village, Kills Six Civilians
A Nigerian military jet mistakenly bombed Zakka village in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing six civilians during an operation against armed bandits.
The airstrike, which occurred on Saturday, followed an attack by gunmen on a police base in the area, where two policemen and a vigilante were killed.
According to eyewitnesses on Sunday, the jet arrived after the bandits had fled, circled the village, and then dropped a bomb on a cluster of huts at the outskirts.
“The jet deployed after the bandits had withdrawn and struck a family’s huts outside the village,” a resident, Muntari Sada, told AFP.
He added that the six victims were members of the same family, and their remains had to be gathered in bags for burial.
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Two other residents confirmed the casualty figures, while Amnesty International reported that at least ten people died in the attack, calling for an immediate investigation.
The Nigerian military has yet to comment on the incident.
Deadly airstrikes mistakenly targeting civilians have become a recurring issue in northern Nigeria.
In January, a military jet in Zamfara State killed at least 16 people, misidentifying local vigilantes as bandits.
In December, another airstrike in Sokoto State killed ten people and injured six.
One of the deadliest incidents happened in Kaduna State in December 2023, when a military jet mistakenly bombed a religious gathering, killing at least 85 people.
In 2017, a fighter jet mistakenly bombed a displacement camp in Rann, Borno State, killing at least 112 people.
Nigeria’s military has been battling criminal gangs, known as bandits, who terrorise communities, kill or abduct residents for ransom, and destroy homes.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
