Tragic Airstrike In Sokoto: Many Dead, Others Injured As Fighter Jet Misses Target

A tragic incident unfolded early Wednesday when a fighter jet mistakenly bombed two communities in Silame Local Government Area, Sokoto State. The jet, intended to target the jihadist group Lakurawa in the Surame Forest, inadvertently dropped bombs on innocent villagers in Gidan Bisa, Gitta Rana, and Runtuwa villages of Silame Ward.

Villages Affected and Casualty Reports
Yahaya Mohammed Silame, a local resident and former information officer of Silame Local Government, revealed that one of the affected villages, Gitta Rana, is home to the current chairman of the council.

Reports indicate that at least 10 villagers lost their lives, though some sources suggest the death toll may be higher. Numerous injured victims are currently receiving treatment for shrapnel wounds at local hospitals.

Chairman Speaks on the Incident
The chairman of Silame Local Government, Abubakar Mohammed Daftarana, stated that the council is still assessing the full scale of the devastation caused by the misdirected airstrike.

“The villagers were sitting peacefully outside their homes, taking a break, when they suddenly heard the thundering sound of bombs dropped by the jet,” he explained.

The Target: Surame Forest
Surame Forest has been identified as a hideout for the jihadist group known as Lakurawa. The fighter jet was reportedly dispatched to neutralize these criminal elements but mistakenly struck the nearby villages.

Government Response
Efforts to contact the Sokoto State Police Command’s public relations officer for official confirmation were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

Governor Ahmed, alongside members of the state executive council and All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, visited the affected communities to console the families of the victims. He emphasized the importance of accuracy and professionalism in airstrike operations to prevent such tragic incidents.