Kehinde Fajobi
A fighter jet targeting the Lakurawa terrorist group reportedly bombed two communities in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State, leaving many villagers feared dead and several injured.
The incident, which occurred around 7 a.m. on Wednesday, affected the villages of Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa, according to residents. The areas are located near Surame Forest, known as a hideout for Lakurawa and other bandits, according to Daily Trust.
Malam Yahya, a resident of Silame, confirmed the proximity of the villages to the forest. Another source disclosed to Daily Trust that over 10 villagers lost their lives, with many more sustaining injuries during the airstrike.
The chairman of Silame Local Government Area, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Daftarana, confirmed the attack and described the victims as innocent civilians.
โThe villagers were sitting peacefully when the bombs started dropping on the communities. They were innocent and peace-loving people who had no any criminal record,โ he said.
Daftarana added, โIt is early for me to confirm the number of people either killed or injured because we are still assessing the development.โ
When contacted, the spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, ASP Ahmad Rufaโi, declined to comment, stating that the operation was not under police jurisdiction.