By : Lloyd Mahachi
An unspecified number of villagers residing in two communities in the Silame local government area of Sokoto state have been feared dead after a fighter jet bombed the communities around 7 am on Wednesday.
The Guardian learned that the fighter jet was targeted at Lakurawa terrorists who have been terrorizing the communities.
The affected communities have been identified as Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa. These two communities are reportedly located close to the Surame Forest. This forest has been identified as another hideout of Lakurawa and bandits.
Residents of the community told the press that over 10 villagers were killed and several others sustained varying degrees of injury during the airstrike.
However, the chairman of Silame LGA, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Daftarana, could not disclose the specific number of casualties. He added that they were assessing the extent of damage done.
He described residents of the affected communities as peace-loving people.
“The villagers were sitting peacefully when the bombs started dropping on the communities. They were innocent and peace-loving people who had no criminal record,” he said.
“It was early for me to confirm the number of people either killed or injured because we are still assessing the development.”
Editor : Josephine Mahachi
