By Anwar Usman
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it will conduct a thorough investigation into the raining of airstrikes on two villages in Sokoto on Wednesday.
According to the community members, the incident, which happened around 7am at Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities in Silame Local Government Area (LGA), resulted in the loss of 10 civilians and left many other people injured.
Animals were also reportedly killed, with the communities saying some of their houses were destroyed by the impact of the airstrikes.
The residents said the fighter jet was targeting Lakurawa terrorists in the areas, but in the process, dropped explosives on some innocent people.
However, in a statement, the joint media coordinator for the operation, Abubakar Abdullahi, said the airstrikes targeted locations confirmed to be the base of the Lakurawa terrorist group.
He said that, all military operations are based on “thorough intelligence and reconnaissance missions” to ensure precision and protect civilian lives.
On the other hand the NAF spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, while reacting on the issue insisted that the airstrikes were carried out based on credible intelligence from multiple sources and confirmatory aerial surveillance.
He, however, assured that reports of civilian casualties would be thoroughly investigated.