A tragic incident unfolded over the weekend in the Mani community of Zamfara State when a Nigerian military jet, responding to a bandit attack, mistakenly killed local vigilantes.
The airstrike occurred amidst a violent incursion that left over 20 farmers dead and more than 50 villagers abducted.
The bandits’ assault had plunged the peaceful farming community into chaos, prompting the deployment of military air support.
However, during the intense operation, the jet reportedly fired on vigilantes who had been mobilized to defend their people, according to a security analyst.
The leader of the vigilante group took “full responsibility” for the casualties, admitting that some members disregarded instructions to withdraw from the outskirts of the village before the airstrike.
As of Monday, neither the Zamfara State Government nor any security agency has released an official statement regarding the tragic event.
Residents are grappling with the aftermath, desperately searching for missing loved ones and holding onto hope for the safe return of those kidnapped.
