Several people including vigilantes were allegedly k!lled in a military airstrike in Tungar Kara village, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Garba Umar, a resident of the area, told Punch that the incident occurred on Saturday evening, January 11, 2025, as local vigilantes were heading to assist neighbours in Tungar Kara village, which had come under attack by bandits.
According to Umar, the vigilante group mobilised after receiving reports of bandits rustling livestock and attempting to abduct villagers.
“As we were heading to Tungar Kara around 3:30 pm, an aircraft suddenly appeared in the area and dropped a bomb on the vigilantes. The bandits had already escaped into the forest,” he narrated.
He alleged that 16 people, including his own son, were k!lled in the airstrike.
“We mobilised to protect our neighbours, but tragically, the aircraft targeted the vigilantes instead of the fleeing bandits. It’s heartbreaking.”
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, told the publication on Sunday morning that he would investigate the matter and provide further details.
“I will look into what actually happened and get back to you,” Abdullahi said.