Not less than 20 folks, together with members of an area vigilante group, have been killed in a mistargeted airstrike by the Nigerian Air Drive.
The incident occurred in Maradun Native Authorities Space of Zamfara State, the hometown of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the native vigilantes killed within the airstrike had been members of the Zamfara Group Safety Guard.
The incident occurred on Saturday night time, 11 January, at Tungar Kara, a group in Maradun LGA the place each the Air Drive and the victims of the airstrike had been reportedly repelling an assault by terrorists.
A resident, Salisu Maradun, informed PREMIUM TIMES that the vigilantes had mobilised to defend the group alongside different residents after they had been struck by the airstrike whereas attempting to retrieve rustled animals from the fleeing bandits.
Mr Maradun mentioned the victims had been residents of varied communities who got here in solidarity to help an attacked group.
Residents mentioned the assault left at the least 20 folks killed, with a number of but to be accounted for as of Sunday afternoon.
Article Web page with Monetary Assist Promotion
The Air Drive spokesperson, Olusola Akinboyewa, couldn’t be instantly reached for remark in regards to the incident. He didn’t reply to telephone calls, and a textual content message despatched to him had not been responded to.
Equally, the police spokesperson in Zamfara State, Yazeed Abubakar, couldn’t even be reached.
Amnesty condemns lethal airstrike
Amnesty Worldwide has condemned the assault, urging the Nigerian authorities to research it instantly and impartially.
“The Nigerian authorities should instantly and impartially examine the Saturday night air strike that killed at the least 20 folks at Tungar Kara village of Maradun LGA Zamfara state. Dozens of individuals injured are at present in essential situation — with out entry to medical care.
“The Nigerian authorities’ constant failure to carry the navy to account is encouraging impunity and more and more endangering the lives of the civilians the navy is meant to be defending.” Amnesty Worldwide wrote on X.
ALSO READ: Nigerian troopers kill infamous terrorist in Zamfara – Official
Such assaults by the Nigerian Air Drive on civilians and different non-criminal teams have claimed the lives of a number of folks throughout the nation.
Saturday’s incident adopted the Christmas Day airstrikes that killed 10 civilians in Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa in neighbouring Silame LGA of Sokoto State.
Though the Air Drive claimed these killed within the Sokoto communities had been terrorists, it later vowed to probe the bombing following an outcry by households of the victims.
In response to SBM Intelligence, a pan-African consulting agency, the Nigerian Air Drive carried out 17 unintended air strikes between January 2017 and September 2024, killing about 500 folks.
Such instances of airstrikes focusing on civilians additionally fashioned components of what the Worldwide Felony Court docket (ICC) is probing Nigerian safety forces for.
Assist PREMIUM TIMES’ journalism of integrity and credibility
At Premium Instances, we firmly imagine within the significance of high-quality journalism. Recognizing that not everybody can afford expensive information subscriptions, we’re devoted to delivering meticulously researched, fact-checked information that continues to be freely accessible to all.
Whether or not you flip to Premium Instances for every day updates, in-depth investigations into urgent nationwide points, or entertaining trending tales, we worth your readership.
It’s important to acknowledge that information manufacturing incurs bills, and we take delight in by no means inserting our tales behind a prohibitive paywall.
Would you take into account supporting us with a modest contribution on a month-to-month foundation to assist keep our dedication to free, accessible information?
Make Contribution
TEXT AD: Name Willie – +2348098788999
