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• Sokoto, Kebbi communities fret over accidental airstrikes
From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Residents of Gidan Bisa and Rumtuwa, in Silame Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, have slipped into a state of deep fear after the accidental military airstrikes that left villagers dead as well as injured others.
Residents of the communities were awoken on December 25, 2024, by the blast of airstrikes that killed their loved ones.
The tragedy erupted soon after they had concluded their morning Salat (Asuba) on the ill-fated day. While some of the villagers went back to bed after they had concluded their prayers, others walked over to the tea seller at the junction to get a cup of hot tea (Shayi).
But as dawn broke, something tragically funny was brooding up in the sky. A military aircraft was rolling over, bending, lowering, trying to be exact its targets. Thereafter, there was a boom of a blast that shattered the whole space.
In seconds, everything was burned to ash, leaving charred bodies of victims and smoky smell in its trail. A few lucky others, who were a step away from the blast, survived with injuries. But on the overall, it was the community that was struck, distraught and inconsolable.
An eyewitness, Faruk Abubakar, said: “Some of us sat where we normally drink early morning pap (Kunnu), which one woman usually brought here. We suddenly saw the aircraft coming down, towards here.
“Our thoughts then were, maybe it was just passing through ,until it lowered down. We fled in different directions and suddenly we heard a loud noise and the next thing was a ball of fire.
“Some people were still sleeping in their huts when the bomb landed, which resulted in serious calamity. Some people died immediately while others sustained various degrees of injuries.
“Our food store was completely razed. You know that we just finished harvesting our farms. All that we kept there was completely gone, all our animals, including camels, cows, goats, among others, were all killed.”
According to the Defence Headquarters, however, the strike killed 10 people and injured about seven others. The authorities blamed it on what they described as “secondary explosion,” while insisting that it was not a direct result of the strike.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said the operation by Operation Fansan Yamma was intended to destroy the Lakurawa terrorist group’s hideout, situated at Gidan Bisa and Gidan Rubntuwa, in Jirikon Forest of Silame LGA.
He remarked that those actually affected by the airstrike were the members of the Lakurawa terrorist group, whom he said were burnt beyond recognition.
Investigations by Daily Sun indicated that, in the wake of the strike, a cold wave of fear has spread over nearby villages and towns of Kebbi State, especially those sharing boundaries with the Silame LGA of Sokoto State, where the accidental airstrike occurred.
One of such villages is Mera, in Augies LGA, where about 17 villagers were recently killed by suspected Lakurawa gunmen. A resident of the village, Abubakar Mera, explained that despite the fact that the state government and the Federal Government had deployed the Special Army Unit to protect the town, they were still living in fear.
According to him, “Since the incident in Silame, those of us in the boundary have been living in fear. We are afraid that some of us might be displaced, we might lose our houses and farmlands.
“We are also afraid that the Lakurawa gunmen could take their revenge on us if they couldn’t tackle the might of the Nigerian military. It is our prayers that our soldiers would only target their targets and protect the innocent.”
A security analyst, Abdullahi Abu, concurred that the accidental airstrikes could indeed cause anxiety and uncertainty in many villages and towns in Kebbi and Sokoto states: “Don’t forget that Kebbi State shares boundaries with Sokoto State in Kebbi North Senatorial district. The recent airstrike in Silami is likely to evoke fear among villagers sharing a boundary with the affected area.
“The psychological impact of such an incident cannot be overstated, as it may lead to anxiety, trauma and a sense of insecurity among the villagers.
“The primary concern would be the possibility of another airstrike, which could result in harm of innocent civilians or cause damage to their properties.
“Additionally, villagers already have the fear of retaliation from the terrorist groups, who might view the airstrike as a threat and target nearby villages.
“The fear of displacement is another concern, as villagers might be forced to flee their homes in search of safety, leading to a humanitarian crisis.
“The airstrike may also disrupt economic activities, such as farming and trade, which are essential to the livelihoods of the villagers” he reasoned.
“I think ,in tbe overall, the recent airstrike in Silame community has created a climate of fear and uncertainty among villagers sharing a boundary with the affected area.”
National Publicity Secretary, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Tukur Muhammed Baba, described the tragedy as “one far too many” and urged the military to re- evaluate its strategies and tactics in addressing insecurity in the region. They insisted that compensation must be paid to the victims.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urged the Federal Government to probe the incident while adding that the families of the victims should be compensated. Its spokesman, Debo Olugunagba, the party demanded for an urgent system wide investigation into the tragic incident with a view to guaranting the protection and safety of civilians in the fight against terrorism in the country.
Immediate past governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, mourned: “This tragedy has not only robbed families of their loved ones but also caused immense suffering in these communities. The victims of this airstrike were innocent, hardworking citizens with no involvement in criminal activities.
“It is deeply upsetting that they should bear the brunt of such a tragic mistake. During this painful time, my thoughts are with you as you cope with this devastating loss.
May you find strength and comfort as you navigate these trying circumstances.
“The loss of civilian lives during operations intended to protect us is unacceptable and must be thoroughly investigated,” he declared. He, however, called on the relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive and impartial inquiry into the incident and ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families.
