Zamfara: NAF fighter jet mistakenly kill 16 local vigilantes in operation

In a tragic incident in Zamfara, North West Nigeria, the Nigerian Air Force fighter jet mistakenly strike and killed 16 members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guards and local vigilantes.

The killing took place on Saturday in Tungar Kara, Gidan Goga district of Maradun Local Government Council on Saturday.

Reports said, the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal was pained by the incident and immediately condoled families of victims, while he encouraged vigilantes not to give up in their assignment of protecting the State from terrorists.

Earlier in• Operation Fansar Yamma, vigilantes and residents mobilized to defend their community against armed bandits who had raided and fled the area and according to eyewitnesses, the NAF airstrike, intended to target the fleeing bandits, but unfortunately struck the vigilantes and residents instead.

Confirming the incident, Maharazu Salisu Gado Faru, representing Maradun II Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, described the airstrike as an unfortunate accident. While the exact death toll remains unverified, community sources report 16 casualties.

This tragic event coincides with the success of Operation Fansar Yamma, a coordinated air-ground assault by the Nigerian Air Force targeting notorious bandit leader Bello Turji and his cohorts in Fakai Hills. The operation, which reportedly neutralized scores of bandits and rescued kidnapped victims, has been lauded as a major step toward restoring peace in the state.

Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, highlighted the operation’s success in degrading the operational capacity of bandit groups. However, no official statement has been released addressing the Tungar Kara incident.

This marks the second accidental airstrike resulting in civilian casualties in recent weeks. On December 25, 2024, a similar incident in Sokoto State claimed the lives of several civilians during a raid intended for jihadists. Previous cases include a December 2023 airstrike in Kaduna State that killed 85 worshippers at a religious gathering and a January 2017 attack on an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Rann, Borno State, which killed 112 civilians.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State expressed condolences to the families of the Tungar Kara victims while commending the military’s renewed commitment to combating banditry.

The governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, clarified that the casualties were members of the local vigilante group mistakenly identified as bandits fleeing from a nearby raid.

“We assure the people of Zamfara that the government remains steadfast in supporting security agencies to sustain their efforts against banditry. The sacrifices of the deceased vigilantes will not go in vain,” the statement read.

Governor Lawal also emphasized the state government’s commitment to enhancing intelligence sharing, providing logistical support, and fostering community engagement to achieve lasting peace.