
A Nigerian military airstrike intended for armed bandits tragically claimed the lives of 16 civilians in Zamfara State.
The incident unfolded on Sunday in Tungar Kara, where members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG) and other locals had gathered.
They were preparing to defend their community from a reported incursion by gunmen when the airstrike mistakenly hit them.
Sources from Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, initially reported the misfire.
The attack comes as part of ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the country’s troubled northern regions.
Sulaiman Bala Idris, spokesperson for the Zamfara governor, issued a statement from Gusau, the state capital.
He extended condolences to the victims’ families and clarified that the deceased were mistaken for fleeing bandits.
“We deeply regret the loss of innocent lives during this unfortunate incident,” the statement read, highlighting the risks of such operations.
Local lawmaker Maharazu Salisu Gado Faru confirmed the strike targeted vigilantes mobilized to counter the bandits.
This loss underscores the difficulties of distinguishing between combatants and civilians in conflict zones.
This tragedy is not isolated. In December 2023, an airstrike killed 85 civilians at a religious gathering in Kaduna State.
Earlier, in 2017, over 100 displaced persons died in Rann due to another mistaken strike.
As Nigeria intensifies its fight against insurgency, these repeated errors emphasize the urgent need for improved targeting measures.
For the families of Tungar Kara, the cost of such lapses is immeasurable.