The Jika da Kolo community in Yadin Kidandan, Giwa Local Government Area, Kaduna State, has alleged that a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) plane, while targeting terrorists over the weekend, accidentally bombed their village, resulting in the deaths of over 25 individuals.

 

However, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) disagreed with the villagers’ account, stating that the operation was based on reliable intelligence about terrorist activity and weapon storage in the Yadi Forest.

 

Residents claimed the casualties included 23 worshippers at a mosque and several others at a nearby market, mistakenly killed during the raid.

 

This contradicts the Air Force’s account, which confirmed the elimination of many terrorists during the strike and insisted there was no mosque in the vicinity.

 

Abdullahi Ismail, a local councillor, acknowledged the incident, describing the area as a hotspot for terrorist activities.

 

Villagers, speaking to reporters, mentioned that among the victims were children and farmers at the mosque during the attack.

 

“The strike severely damaged the bodies of many victims. 23 mutilated bodies were collected and buried according to Islamic traditions. We identified the remains of 23 individuals, including children, and laid them to rest.”

 

“Although Yadin Kidandan is under bandit control, innocent villagers still live there because they have no other place to go, like those killed during the strike on Friday. Many who were in the mosque at the time died.”

 

“It was a busy area due to a local market close to the mosque that was also hit. The event occurred around 2 pm,” a survivor, requesting anonymity, said.

 

“Yes, the airstrike on Friday hit a mosque in Jika da Kolo village, causing numerous deaths, including those from our village who went to their farms or visited the local market near the mosque. Farmers and children were among the victims.”

 

“We heard the plane arrive; it dropped something, and moments later, we heard a loud explosion. I was in a nearby village when this occurred.”

 

Later, relatives of the victims retrieved the bodies for burial. Some locals said the military should have realized that the bandits don’t reside within the villages but in the forests. It’s a difficult time for us,” a resident named Malam added.

 

The community called on the Federal and Kaduna State governments to investigate the incident, stating that they have no other place to go and continue to live in the area.

 

In response, NAF’s Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, clarified that the airstrikes were aimed solely at the terrorists’ logistics base.

 

He added that there was no mosque in the targeted area, as confirmed by before-and-after images, and the operation was based on confirmed intelligence of terrorist activity in Yadi Forest.

 

According to him, independent reports, including local sources, confirmed the destruction of the logistics base and the deaths of numerous terrorists.

 

“Extensive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance had confirmed the continuous presence of terrorists and their motorcycles at the site. Further intelligence revealed that the logistics base belonged to Kadade Gurgu, a key terrorist leader and ally of Dogo Gide.”

 

“Moreover, intelligence gathered by the NAF Air Component indicated that Kadade Gurgu had been offering refuge to top terrorist figures, particularly following intensified military operations in Sokoto and Zamfara.”

 

“Thus, an aircraft, supported by an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, was deployed to neutralize the target. Initially, the area appeared deserted, but as the aircraft approached, terrorists were seen emerging from bushes and attempting to flee.”

 

“The target was then engaged, resulting in the destruction of the logistics hub, which was engulfed in flames, with thick smoke visible. Independent sources and local informants later confirmed the destruction of the base and the deaths of numerous terrorists.”

 

“The Nigerian Air Force, working alongside ground forces, will continue to dominate the operational environment with sustained intelligence, continuous patrols, and targeted attacks on terrorist hideouts across its jurisdiction and surrounding areas, aiming to eradicate terrorist and criminal activities in the North-west and North-central regions,” he concluded.

 

SOURCE: Tribute online NG