Metro
Many feared dead as another accidental NAF airstrike hits Zamfara community

An unspecified number of people have been feared killed after another Nigeria Air Force (NAF) airstrike mistakenly hit the camp of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG), in the Tungar Kara community of Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Saturday night.
Security expert, Zagazola Makama, who confirmed the incident in a post on his X handle on Sunday, said the airstrike was targeted at bandits who had earlier raided the area but had fled before the Air Force reconnaissance team could get to the location.
He stated that the victims were local vigilantes and residents who were defending the community against the bandits but were unfortunate to be caught in the airstrike.
“Many people were reportedly killed in another accidental airstrikes in Tungar Kara community, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Saturday evening,” Makama wrote.
“Intelligence source told Zagazola Makama that the victims include members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG), vigilantes, and residents of the community, who were called to respond to bandits incursion in the area.
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“The vigilantes were mistaken for bandits, shortly after the bandits had fled the scene. So far, 16 dead bodies have been retrieved, but the total number of casualties is not yet clear.
“The Nigerian military under Operation Fansan Yanma has been intensifying operations against banditry and terrorism in Zamfara and other parts of the northwest, which have been plagued by insecurity.
“The troops successfully dismantled terrorists’ hideouts in the Fakai area of Shinkafi Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State, neutralizing 25 terrorists and rescuing seven kidnapped victims.
“They also cleared several camps belonging to terrorist kingpins, including Bello Turji and Mallam Ila, in the Fakai axis.”
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