Sokoto — In the early hours of Wednesday, a tragic incident occurred in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State when a fighter jet mistakenly bombed two communities, resulting in numerous casualties and widespread devastation.

The jet, which was targeting Lakurawa Jihadists in the Surame forest, inadvertently dropped bombs on innocent villagers in Gidan Bisa, Gitta Rana, and Runtuwa villages of Silame Ward.

According to Yahaya Mohammed Silame, a resident and former Information Officer of Silame Local Government, one of the affected villages, Gitta Rana, is home to the current Chairman of Silame Local Government Area. “About 10 villagers were said to have been killed, but many believe the actual number is far higher,” he stated.

Many victims who suffered various degrees of injuries from the airstrike have been hospitalized and are receiving treatment for shrapnel wounds. Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Daftarana, Chairman of Silame Local Government, expressed the ongoing efforts to assess the full scale of the damage caused by the mistaken aerial bombardment.

“The communities were still peacefully outside their homes taking a break when they heard the thundering sounds of bombs dropped by the jet as it passed overhead,” he recounted.

The Surame forest is believed to be a hideout for the self-acclaimed Jihadists, known as Lakurawa. Despite several attempts, the public relations office of the Sokoto State Police Command could not be reached for confirmation.

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Governor Ahmed Aliyu, accompanied by members of the state executive council and APC stalwarts, has since condoled with the families of the victims of the aerial bombardment. He called on pilots engaged in fighting criminal elements to maintain professionalism and ensure accuracy before dropping bombs to avoid hitting wrong targets and killing innocent civilians. “We must ensure that such tragic mistakes do not happen again,” the governor emphasized.

The incident has left the affected communities in shock and mourning, as they grapple with the loss of loved ones and the destruction of their homes. The state government has pledged to provide support and assistance to the victims and their families during this difficult time.