Kastina mourn as NAF airstrike targeting bandits mistakenly kill scores of citizens
Katsina State, , has been thrown into mourning as scores reported dead following an accidental bombing by the Nigerian Air Force that reportedly occurred in Shawu village, Ruwan Godiya district, Faskari Local Government Area, on Thursday.
It was gathered that NAF air strike was targeting bandits in the area but accidentally struck the community. The exact number of fatalities and injuries is yet to be confirmed as at the time this report was filled. Salihu Bamle Bakatsine, a resident of Katsina State, made the disclosure of the accidental bombing on his social media handle.
According to his post : “Moment ago, Nigeria Airforce mistakenly bombard Shawu community, several people are now confirmed dead and many others injured. Shawu community is under Ruwan Godiya district, Faskari LGA, Katsina State.
“May the Almighty have mercy on those who lost their lives, grant healing to the injured and bring ease in the future.”The state commissioner for internal security, Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu, confirmed that there was bombing the area but said it was not accidental.
According to him, it was a precision strike targeted at terrorists and not civilians.
“Whoever told you that the attack was accidental lied. The bomb was dropped on purpose, terrorists were the target. Make no mistake about this, the Nigerian military is highly professional in its operations; they strike after surveillance and then getting the coordinate of their target before striking.”
“You see, Shawu has become notorious for harbouring bandits and other forms of terrorists, that’s why the area was targeted,” Mu’azu added. In the same vein, the Faskari Local Government Council chairman, Musa Ado Faskari said, “The airstrike was precise because bandits have infiltrated the community.”
He added that, “It’s unfortunate that it has happened, but the truth is that there’s just no alternative to this. After all, majority of good people have left Shawu because of the heavy presence of bandits.”
“Let me tell you, all around, when kidnapping for ransom is carried out, you’ll always get to hear that the plan was hatched in Shawu,” Ado said. Regarding fatalities, the local council chairman said, “Four deaths were recorded As of the wounded, we’re still sorting things out to determine their numbers,” he added.
