NAF makes U-turn, promises to probe ‘accidental’ air strikes that bombed over 16 civilians in Zamfara

THE CABLE

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has commenced an investigation into reports that more than 16 civilians and vigilantes were accidentally bombed during military air strikes in Zamfara last weekend. 

The missiles were launched in Tungar Kara, Zurmi LGA of the state.

“The vigilantes were mistaken for bandits, shortly after the bandits had fled the scene,” Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, quoted an intelligence source as saying.
On Sunday, Olusola Akinboyewa, NAF’s director of public relations and information, told TheCable that there was no credible report of civilian casualties during the operation, and that the air strikes were based on reliable intelligence.
However, the Zamfara state government countered NAF, saying there were indeed civilian casualties as Operation Fansan Yamma conducted air strikes “in troubled Maradun and Zurmi local government areas”.

Hours later, Akinboyewa expressed “deep concern” over allegations that the operation may have resulted in the unintended deaths of local vigilantes.

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