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Airstrike Mistakenly Targets Vigilantes in Zamfara: Dozens Feared Dead

Published by Tope Fakinlede on January 12th, 2025.

Airstrike Mistakenly Targets Vigilantes in Zamfara: Dozens Feared Dead

A tragic airstrike has claimed several lives in Kakindawa village, located in the Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Garba Umar, a local resident, shared details of the incident with the FIRST CLASS GISTS, stating that it occurred on Saturday evening as members of a local vigilante group were en route to support their neighbors in Tungar Kara village, which had been attacked by bandits.

Umar explained that the vigilantes had been mobilized after receiving reports of bandits stealing livestock and attempting to abduct villagers. While heading to Tungar Kara at around 3:30 pm, an aircraft unexpectedly appeared and dropped a bomb on the group. At that point, the bandits had already fled into the nearby forest.

He claimed that 16 people, including his own son, lost their lives in the attack. “We were heading out to help our neighbors, but unfortunately, the aircraft targeted us instead of the bandits. It is a devastating situation,” Umar said.

Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, spokesperson for Operation Fansan Yamma, responded to the incident, stating that an investigation would be conducted to determine the details of what happened. “I will look into the matter and provide further updates,” Abdullahi assured The FIRST CLASS GISTS on Sunday morning.

As of the time of this report, no additional information has been released.

In a related context, FIRST CLASS GISTS reported in November 2024 that Nigerian Air Force airstrikes in Zamfara State had led to the deaths of several bandits, including key associates of notorious leaders Dan-Isuhu and Dogo Sule. Furthermore, on January 8, 2025, forces from Operation Fansan Yamma killed the notorious terrorist leader Sani Rusu and several of his associates in a gunfight in Bamamu village, Tsafe Local Government Area.