Airstrikes in Zamfara: Numerous casualties are feared to have occurred in Kukawa village, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, during airstrikes carried out by Nigerian Army troops as part of Operation Hadarin Daji.
Despite assertions from the army denying civilian casualties and emphasizing their focus on combatting bandits, eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture. Musa Abubakar, a resident of the village, recounted the tragic events during the Eid El Fitr prayer, describing the terrifying sound of approaching aircraft followed by devastation. Abubakar estimated that at least 40 individuals lost their lives, with many others sustaining injuries, including himself.
While some attribute the airstrikes to the military’s response to gunfire from suspected bandits targeting their aircraft, others suggest it was a preemptive strike by the military. Regardless of the cause, the result was tragic, with lives lost and families shattered.
In response to inquiries, Lieutenant Suleiman Omale, spokesperson for Operation Hadarin Daji, reiterated the military’s stance, emphasizing their mission to combat banditry. He maintained that there was no awareness of civilian casualties during the operation.
This incident adds to ongoing concerns about collateral damage in military operations targeting insurgents and underscores the need for precision and caution in such endeavors.
