Matthew Onocheta
At least 16 local vigilante members were on Saturday, killed by a military airstrike targeting bandits in Nigeria’s northwestern state of Zamfara, a local news outlet reported.
The incident reportedly happened in Kakindawa village, in the Maradun Local Government Area of the state when the vigilante group was on its way to Tungar Kara village to assist the residents following an alleged attack by bandits.
A source close to the vigilante group in the Kakindawa village, identified only as Umar told The Sun newspaper that a Nigerian Air Force’s aircraft dropped a bomb on the vigilantes even though the bandits had already evacuated the area.
He said: “The bandits went to Tungar Kara village and attempted to rustle animals and kidnap the inhabitants.
“When we received the information, we mobilised our vigilante group and headed to the village to assist.
“Unfortunately, as the vigilante group was about to reach the village, an aircraft suddenly appeared and dropped a bomb on them, even though the bandits had already escaped into the forest.
“We counted 16 people killed in the bombardment, including my son.”
The Nigerian Air Force spokesman AVM Olusola Akinboyewa could not be reached for comment over the incident, but he confirmed to news outlets that troops of Operation Fansan Yamma coordinated air and ground assaults on Fakai Hills in Zamfara State, adding that troops neutralised scores of bandits loyal to a notorious kingpin, Kachallah Bello Turji.
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