A survivor of the airstrike in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State has recounted the harrowing experience of watching her family perish in the tragic incident.
In an interview with Newsmen, the emotional woman, who requested anonymity, described how her father, mother, and four younger siblings were burnt to death during the airstrike.
“I saw them burning – my mother, my father, and my three younger brothers,” she said in tears.
The airstrike which hit Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities in Silame Local Government Area on Wednesday claimed the lives of 10 civilians, animals and also left many other people injured.
The fighter jet was targeting Lakurawa terrorists in the areas, but in the process, dropped explosives on some innocent people.
One resident, Usman Manuga, who narrated the tragic event, said “After the Fajr (early morning) prayer, we noticed planes flying overhead. Moments later, bombs were dropped, and everything went up in flames.”
Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, who visited the villages where the incidents happened, sympathized with the victims of the airstrikes.
The governor promised to set up a committee to investigate the incident in order to avert future reoccurrence.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator, Joint Media Coordination Centre of the Operation, Lt-Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, explained that military operations were conducted based on thorough intelligence and reconnaissance missions.
However, the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has promised to launch a thorough investigation into the airstrikes on the two villages.
Reacting, the NAF spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, insisted the airstrikes were carried out based on credible intelligence from multiple sources and confirmatory aerial surveillance.
He, however, assured that reports of civilian casualties would be thoroughly investigated.
“The airstrikes were conducted based on credible intelligence from multiple sources, along with confirmatory aerial surveillance.
“Nevertheless, reports of possible harm to civilians will be thoroughly investigated and we will update you appropriately,” he said.
Meanwhile, a northern youth advocacy group, Northern Star Initiative, has decried the tragic incident.
In a statement in Kaduna, the Director-General of the movement, Abdullahi Idris, noted that there were conflicting accounts of the incident between the villagers and state officials.
He urged the Federal Government to set up an independent investigative committee to find out the truth of what truly happened.
