A military airstrike targeting bandits in Katsina State mistakenly killed six members of a single family in Yauni Community, Zakka Ward, Safana Local Government Area, leaving the area in shock and mourning.
Security sources revealed on Monday that the victims included three children, two women, and a man. The incident occurred after security operatives clashed with bandits attempting to disrupt Saturday’s local government elections in Zakka village.
According to an eyewitness, security forces comprising the police and members of the State Community Watch Corps (CWC) engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle, resulting in the deaths of two police officers and a CWC operative. Another officer later succumbed to injuries sustained during the clash.
Following the battle, a military fighter jet was dispatched for reinforcement but mistakenly dropped a bomb on Yauni Community, located in the southern part of Zakka village. “As a result of this, we lost our men in the gun battle. Another woman was also left injured,” the eyewitness explained.
Military and government authorities are yet to comment on the incident at the time of this report.
This tragic event mirrors similar incidents in the region. In July 2022, two people were killed when a military airstrike hit Kunkunni village in Safana. Earlier that year, a military strike in Zamfara mistakenly killed 16 people, including local vigilantes and residents.
The recurring tragedies have raised concerns over the unintended consequences of military operations in civilian areas.
