Days after military airstrikes killed at least 10 people in the Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities of Silame Local Government Area, Sokoto State, on Christmas Day, residents have dismissed military claims that the victims were terrorists.
Reports suggest the fighter jet was targeting Lakurawa terrorists but mistakenly dropped explosives on residents, livestock, food silos, and homes, causing widespread destruction.
While the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has promised a thorough investigation, its spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, defended the operation, stating it was based on credible intelligence and confirmatory aerial surveillance.
His statement was backed by Lieutenant-Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, Coordinator of the Joint Media Coordination Centre, who emphasized that the airstrikes followed careful reconnaissance.
A visit by Saturday PUNCH revealed that Silame Local Government Headquarters on Friday, the atmosphere was tense, and residents gathered to console the Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad, who insisted the victims were innocent farmers, not terrorists. He acknowledged the military’s efforts but condemned the incident, calling for justice.
“The community is devastated,” Muhammad said. “We want justice for the victims. These were innocent farmers, not terrorists. Their homes and food stores have been destroyed.”
The distance between Silame town and the affected villages is about 20 kilometers, taking approximately five hours by car.
Residents recounted the horror of the attack. Faruk Abubakar, who witnessed the incident, said it occurred early in the morning as some villagers returned from the mosque.
“We were sitting together drinking pap when the aircraft flew low. Suddenly, there was a loud explosion, and fire spread quickly. People were caught off guard, some still sleeping in their huts,” he said.
Another resident, Alhaji Audu Abubakar, described the event as a “black Wednesday,” adding, “I lost my friend in the attack. We need justice. We are not criminals, and these allegations against us are false.”
Other villagers echoed similar sentiments, stressing the community’s innocence and calling for government intervention. Abubakar Silame said, “The attack came unexpectedly. We have lost everything—homes, livestock, food stores. The government must help us rebuild.”
A young girl named Hauwa’u shared a harrowing account of watching her parents and three younger siblings perish in the fire caused by the airstrike.
At Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, medical staff confirmed that six injured victims were brought in, two of whom had been discharged, while four remained in critical condition.
In a counter-statement on Friday, the Defence Headquarters claimed the fatalities resulted from a secondary explosion at a terrorist logistics base, not from direct military airstrikes.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, explained that the airstrike targeted a terrorist hideout and triggered explosions from stored munitions.
“The deaths were caused by secondary explosions at the logistics base, which housed dangerous materials like hand cartridges and explosives,” he said.
Buba added that the operation was delayed initially to minimize civilian casualties and was based on thorough intelligence and surveillance.
However, a senior Sokoto State government official, speaking anonymously, rejected the military’s explanation, stating, “Eyewitness accounts confirm it was the airstrike that caused the deaths. The military must stop covering up the truth.”
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