Nine Feared D£ad As Nigerian Military Airstr!ke H!ts Niger State Village, Vigilantes Reportedly Among V!ctims
Nine Feared Dead As Nigerian Military Airstrike Hits Niger State Village, Vigilantes Reportedly Among Victims
Among the casualties were individuals described locally as vigilantes, though their exact affiliation remains uncertain.
At least nine people were reportedly killed on Wednesday night after a suspected Nigerian military airstrike struck Kawon Urege village in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
Among the casualties were individuals described locally as vigilantes, though their exact affiliation remains uncertain.
Security expert Bakatsine, who shared photos of survivors on hospital beds, said the incident in the Kagara axis of Niger State has sparked grief and renewed concerns about civilian casualties during military operations against armed groups in northern Nigeria.
According to reports shared on Thursday morning by security and conflict monitors on X, the victims were members of the Kawo Ushama vigilante group who had allegedly returned from confronting bandits operating within the area before the strike occurred.
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The security expert wrote that tragedy struck the community after the air operation allegedly hit the vigilantes.
“Last night, tragedy struck Kawon Urege village in Rafi LGA of Niger State when a Nigerian military airstrike reportedly killed at least nine people, including local vigilantes,” the post stated.
Another post alleged that the vigilantes had just returned from an operation against cattle-rustling bandits when they were mistakenly targeted.
“Yet another security tragedy has been reported in Niger State after some members of the Kawo Ushama vigilante group were allegedly hit during an Air Force operation in the Kagara axis last night,” BSN stated.
“The vigilantes were reportedly on a fighting patrol against a horde of terrorists operating within the area when the incident occurred.”
According to local accounts, the victims were gathered in the village refuelling their motorcycles after returning from the anti-bandit operation when the strike happened.
Pictures shared alongside the reports showed some victims receiving treatment on hospital beds, some of whom appeared severely injured.
“How many more innocent lives must be lost before there is proper intelligence coordination and accountability in these operations?” Bakatsine queried
Civilian casualties linked to military airstrikes have repeatedly generated controversy in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency and anti-banditry campaigns.
Several communities across northern Nigeria have in recent years accused security forces of mistakenly targeting civilians, vigilantes and local hunters during aerial bombardments aimed at terrorists and bandits.
Human rights organisations have also called for improved intelligence gathering, transparent investigations and compensation for victims of erroneous military strikes.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters’ efforts to reach the Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI) of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to several phone calls or a text message seeking his reaction to the incident.
