Uncertainty As NAF Airstrikes Kill Several Sokoto Residents

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

There are palpable fears that no fewer than 12 persons may have lost their lives to multiple air strikes targeted at the emerging terrorist group Lukarawas in Sokoto state.

Reports on Wednesday ,December 25, 2024,  indicated that ,the Nigerian Airforce, NAF, strikes early in the  morning  in the remote vilages of Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa in Silame Local Government of Sokoto may have hit locals rather than the  insurgents.

Witnesses said several locals were also injured by the  airstrikes.

The Source reports that about two months ago, the military high command admitted the existence of the Lukarawas ,a new ,but dangerous ,terrorist group, in the festering security challenges ravaging most parts of the North West region of the country.

The Military had noted that the  group capitalized on the lull in diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and its West African neighbour, Niger Republic occasioned by the June 26, 2023, military coup in the latter, to sneak into the country from Mali and Burkina Faso in particular.

They are believed to have established their strongholds in Kebbi and Sokoto States communities.

The communities affected by the NAF strikes are said to be located close to the Surame Forest, one of the known strong enclaves of the Lukarawas in Sokoto state.

Confirming the development, the Executive Chairman of Silame Council, Abubakar Muhammad Daftarana, however, did not volunteer details.

He informed that the authorities were still studying and evaluating the incident, adding that the full extent of damage and/or casualties would be made public soonest.

” The Villagers were sitting peacefully when the bombs started dropping on the communities .

“They are innocent and peace-loving people who have no known criminal record

“It is too early for me to confirm the number of people either killed and/or injured because we are still assessing the development”, the council chairman said.

As at the time of reporting, the Sokoto state Government and Security agencies ,including the police, were yet to react to the incident.

The Source reports however ,that the development follows the   same pattern in a similar incident that occurred in some  communities in Birinin Gwari Local  Government of Kaduna ,where several locals were killed by NAF strikes aimed at banditry elements.