Airstrike in Zamfara Claims Civilian Lives Amid Anti-Banditry Operation
Tragedy struck the Tungar Kara community in the Gidan Goga district of Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State, on Saturday evening, when a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrike inadvertently targeted members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guards (ZCPG), local vigilantes, and some residents,leadership reports.
Eyewitnesses reported that at least 16 people lost their lives in the incident, which occurred shortly after armed bandits raided the area and fled. Community members and vigilantes had mobilized to defend the village but were mistakenly struck by the airstrike intended for the fleeing bandits.
Maharazu Salisu Gado Faru, a lawmaker representing Maradun II Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, confirmed the incident and described it as an unfortunate mistake. He explained that the airstrike had mistakenly identified the vigilantes as bandits. While the exact death toll remains unconfirmed, the Nigerian military has yet to release an official statement regarding the tragedy.
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Earlier on Sunday, the Nigerian Air Force highlighted the success of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, a coordinated air and ground assault targeting notorious bandit leader Kachallah Bello Turji in Fakai Hills. Air Force spokesperson Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa announced that the operation neutralized scores of bandits and rescued several kidnapped victims, describing it as a significant step toward restoring peace in Zamfara State.
This incident marks the second deadly accidental airstrike on civilians in recent weeks. On December 25, 2024, a similar airstrike mistakenly targeted two villages in Sokoto State, killing several civilians during a raid intended for jihadists. Other tragic incidents include a December 2023 airstrike in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, which mistakenly struck an Islamic religious gathering, killing at least 85 people, and a January 2017 airstrike on a camp for displaced persons in Rann, near the Cameroonian border, which claimed 112 lives.
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal expressed his condolences to the families of the victims while commending the military’s renewed efforts against banditry. A statement from Sulaiman Bala Idris, the governor’s spokesperson, acknowledged the tragic loss of civilian lives during the operation in Tungar Kara.
The statement read:
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the civilian casualties, particularly the members of the local vigilante group who were tragically affected. Despite this setback, the Nigerian Air Force’s precision strikes over the weekend have significantly degraded the operational capacity of bandits in the Maradun and Zurmi local government areas.
“As a responsible government, we assure the people of Zamfara State that efforts to combat banditry and criminality will continue unabated. We remain committed to supporting security agencies with intelligence sharing, logistics, and community engagement to sustain these gains and restore peace across the state.
“Regrettably, some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and local vigilantes lost their lives during the operation. We pray for Almighty Allah to grant them eternal rest and assure their families that their sacrifices will not be in vain. The government will provide necessary support to the bereaved families.
“We urge all residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and cooperate fully with security personnel to ensure the success of ongoing efforts to secure Zamfara State.”
The tragedy underscores the challenges of conducting military operations in areas with civilian presence, even as authorities and security forces intensify efforts to combat banditry and restore normalcy in the region.
