The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified that the deaths of 10 villagers in Sokoto State were caused by a secondary explosion from terrorists’ materials, rather than direct airstrikes conducted by the Nigerian Air Force. This explanation followed the December 25, 2024, joint military operation targeting terrorist hideouts in the Lakurawa area of Silame Local Government Area.
Addressing journalists on the incident, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, emphasized that the airstrikes were precision-guided and aimed solely at neutralizing terrorist strongholds. He attributed the civilian casualties to an unintended secondary detonation of explosives housed within the terrorists’ logistics base.
Maj-Gen. Buba detailed the operation, which was a coordinated effort involving the Air and Land Components of Operation Fansan Yamma. The operation targeted the hideouts of the Lakurawa Terrorists Group (LTG) in Gidan Bisa and Gidan Runtuwa within the Jirikon Forest.
He explained that extensive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions preceded the airstrikes to confirm the presence of terrorists in the area. The operation was rescheduled from an earlier date to Christmas Day to allow further confirmation through human intelligence (HUMINT).
According to Maj-Gen. Buba:
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria has a duty to defend citizens from terrorists, either through peaceful means or the force of arms. On December 25, 2024, a precision airstrike was conducted at approximately 0600 hours, followed by ground operations to assess its impact.”
The airstrikes, executed with precision munitions, reportedly destroyed the terrorists’ hideouts, including arms caches and logistics bases. The Land Component simultaneously secured the area to prevent any escape and conducted post-strike assessments.
The DHQ asserted that the fatalities among villagers were caused by the detonation of dangerous materials stored by the terrorists, including explosives and hand cartridges, which ignited during the airstrike. Maj-Gen. Buba described the incident as an “unfortunate tragedy” and reiterated the military’s commitment to minimizing civilian casualties.
“Troops will continue to take painstaking measures to avoid civilian casualties. All civilian casualties are viewed as a needless tragedy. Nevertheless, we will not relent in targeting and dislodging terrorists across our nation,” he stated.
Despite the military’s explanation, several questions remain unanswered. For instance:
- How many terrorists were killed in the airstrikes or the subsequent explosions?
- Were the reported deaths of 10 villagers a direct result of the explosion’s reach, or were other factors involved?
These points are crucial for evaluating the operation’s overall effectiveness and understanding the full scale of collateral damage.
The incident has reignited calls for greater transparency in military operations to address concerns about civilian safety. Advocacy groups and local leaders have urged the military to intensify its efforts in distinguishing between combatants and civilians in conflict zones.
While the military insists that its airstrike achieved its primary objective of neutralizing the Lakurawa Terrorists Group, the tragic loss of civilian lives underscores the delicate balance between combating terrorism and protecting innocent citizens.
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The deaths of the Sokoto villagers highlight the complex dynamics of counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria. As the military continues its operations, a clear account of the mission’s outcomes—including the number of neutralized terrorists—will be essential in fostering public trust and ensuring accountability.
