We Were Pursuing Terrorists When Air Force Jet Mistakenly Bombed Us” — Zamfara Vigilantes Speak Out on Misguided Military Strike
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We Were Pursuing Terrorists When Air Force Jet Mistakenly Bombed Us” — Zamfara Vigilantes Speak Out on Misguided Military Strike |
Vigilante members in Zamfara State have shared their account of a tragic incident in which a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jet mistakenly bombed them while they were in pursuit of terrorists who had attacked Garin Mani village in Maru Local Government Area.
According to the vigilantes, several of their members were killed in the airstrike that occurred on Saturday. Although the Nigerian Air Force acknowledged the deaths of two vigilantes during the operation by troops under Operation Fasin Yamma, the local security group insists the number of casualties is higher.
Sources confirmed that the Air Force was deployed to the area after reports of a terrorist attack. Eyewitnesses said armed bandits stormed the village around midday on motorcycles, killing several people and abducting over 50 others—mostly farmers.
One of the vigilantes told BBC Hausa that they were actively chasing the attackers when the fighter jet appeared and began firing on them. “We pretended to be dead to survive. Once the jet left, we escaped,” he said.
A local resident, speaking anonymously, criticized the military’s poor coordination and urged them to acknowledge the error and support the victims’ families. He also appealed for more troops in the area, as the attackers had threatened to return.
Military sources explained that due to the rough terrain, ground forces called in air support. The NAF later confirmed that the operation targeted over 30 motorcycles carrying armed terrorists in the forest near Mai-Galma.
NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Edward Ejodame stated that the mission aimed to disrupt a planned large-scale attack and that the Air Force acted on intelligence confirming the terrorists had already killed civilians and kidnapped others, including women and children.
He said the terrorists opened fire on the aircraft, prompting a precision strike that destroyed the motorcycles and killed dozens of fighters. Ground troops then moved in to secure the area and verify the success of the mission.
Ejodame acknowledged that two vigilantes were mistakenly killed and two others injured during the operation, expressing deep regret over the incident. He emphasized the Air Force's commitment to working with local communities and confirmed ongoing efforts to rescue those abducted.
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