Terrorists’ Explosives, Not Airstrikes, Caused Villagers’ Deaths — DHQ
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified that the deaths of 10 villagers following the Christmas Day military operation in Sokoto State were caused by secondary explosions from terrorists’ materials, not by direct airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force.
The strikes targeted Lakurawa terrorists’ hideouts at Gidan Bisa and Gidan Runtuwa in the Jirikon Forest, Silame Local Government Area, during a coordinated operation under Operation Fansan Yamma.
Addressing the media, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, explained that the precision airstrikes aimed to neutralize the terrorists’ logistics base, which housed explosive materials. These materials detonated following the strike, causing the fatalities.
His statement read:
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria has a duty to defend citizens from terrorists either through peaceful means, or the force of arms. It is in discharge of this responsibility that on 25 Dec 2024, a coordinated joint operation was conducted between the Air Component and the Land Component of Operation Fansan Yamma to destroy Lakurawas Terrorists Group (LTG) hideouts at Gidan Bisa and Gidan Runtuwa in Jirikon Forest in Silame LGA of Sokoto State. Prior to the operation, there was heightened terrorists activities in the area.”
Read also: Fighter Jet Targeted At Lakurawa Terrorists Reportedly Kills Sokoto Communities’ Residents
Maj-Gen. Buba emphasized that extensive Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions and Human Intelligence (HUMINT) guided the operation to minimize civilian casualties. The airstrikes, supported by ground troops, destroyed key terrorist infrastructure, including arms caches and logistics dumps.
“The airstrike achieved its primary objective of neutralizing the Lakurawa terrorist in their concentration area,” he noted, adding that ground troops confirmed the operation’s success and interacted with locals to corroborate the terrorists’ presence.
He further reiterated the military’s commitment to avoiding civilian casualties while continuing efforts to dislodge terrorist groups across Nigeria.
