Airstrike on Insurgents Mistakenly Kills 10 Civilians in Sokoto
The Nigerian military recently announced a tragic incident where an airstrike targeting the Lakurawa insurgent group’s logistics base in northwestern Nigeria mistakenly resulted in the deaths of at least 10 civilians. The attack occurred in the Silame area of Sokoto State on Christmas Day 25-12-2024.
According to the military, the airstrike aimed to target an insurgent group responsible for violent activities in the region. However, due to secondary explosions from the munitions, civilians who were nearby tragically lost their lives. This has sparked a wider concern as such accidental casualties have been a recurring issue in military operations. Since 2017, over 400 civilians have died as a result of mistaken airstrikes.
This incident is particularly significant as Nigeria continues to combat various insurgent groups, including Boko Haram, which has led to widespread violence, displacement, and loss of life since its emergence in 2009.
The Nigerian government has expressed regret over the loss of civilian lives and is expected to review its military strategies and protocols to minimize such occurrences. These unfortunate events highlight the complex challenges faced by the Nigerian military in their fight against insurgents while ensuring the safety of civilians.
