Several lives were reportedly lost in an airstrike on Saturday evening in Kakinada village, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State. According to eyewitness accounts, the tragic incident occurred as local vigilantes mobilized to defend a neighboring community from a bandit attack.
Garba Umar, a resident of Kakindawa, told The PUNCH that the vigilante group had been heading to Tungar Kara village to protect residents 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,” Umar recounted.
He alleged that 16 people, including his son, lost their lives in the airstrike.
“We mobilized to protect our neighbors, but tragically, the aircraft targeted the vigilantes instead of the fleeing bandits. It’s heartbreaking,” Umar said.
Military Promises Investigation
Reacting to the incident, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, spokesperson for Operation Hadarin Daji, assured the public that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.
“I will look into what actually happened and get back to you,” Abdullahi told The PUNCH on Sunday morning. However, no further updates were available at the time of filing this report.
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Context of Recent Airstrikes in Zamfara
This incident comes amidst ongoing military operations against bandits in Zamfara State. In November 2024, the Nigerian Air Force reported that it had conducted airstrikes in the region, killing numerous bandits, including key loyalists of notorious bandit leaders Dan-Isuhu and Dogo Sule.
Additionally, just four days ago, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji engaged in a gunfight with terrorists in Bamamu village, Tsafe Local Government Area. The operation resulted in the death of Sani Rusu, a notorious terrorist leader, and several of his followers.
Growing Concerns Over Civilian Casualties
The alleged airstrike on Kakindawa has raised concerns about the safety of civilians and vigilantes in conflict zones. Many locals rely on vigilante groups for protection against banditry due to limited security presence in remote areas. However, incidents like this underscore the challenges of distinguishing between bandits and civilian defenders in volatile regions.
The people of Kakindawa and neighboring communities are now left grieving the loss of their loved ones while awaiting clarity on what led to this tragic event.