Residents of Zamfara State have once again been thrown into grief after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrike aimed at terrorists mistakenly killed members of a local vigilante group.
The incident, which took place on May 31, 2025, during a military operation against armed groups in the Maru Local Government Area, resulted in the deaths of two vigilantes and injuries to two others.
The NAF, in a statement released on Monday by its spokesperson, Group Captain Ehimen Ejodame, noted that the operation was part of its ongoing campaign, Operation Fansan Yamma.
The mission had targeted a group of bandits near Mai-Galma, based on intelligence suggesting that they were planning a large-scale attack on nearby villages.
“In a swift response to a distress call, the Nigerian Air Force, on May 31, 2025, successfully neutralised over 20 armed terrorists and destroyed more than 21 motorcycles during an air interdiction operation in Zamfara State,” Ejodame said.
He explained that the terrorists had already carried out killings and abductions, including taking women and children from farming communities.
According to him, NAF aircraft spotted over 30 motorcycles carrying armed fighters and launched precision strikes when they came under fire. While the mission succeeded in neutralising the suspected criminals, ground troops later confirmed that some of the victims were members of a local vigilante team.
Ejodame noted that the NAF regrets the loss of innocent lives and is taking steps to avoid similar incidents in future. He added that all air operations follow international laws and are designed to protect civilians.
Meanwhile, villagers in Unguwar Mani gave more details. A local source, who spoke under anonymity, said the vigilantes were trying to stop the bandits from escaping with more than 50 abducted farmers when the airstrike mistakenly hit them.
“The bandits had already kidnapped over 50 farmers and were trying to move back to their hideouts. Unfortunately, the vigilantes who went out to rescue those abducted were mistakenly bombarded by the aircraft,” the source said.
The eyewitness also claimed that more than 20 people were killed in the airstrike, though the NAF confirmed only two vigilante deaths. According to the source, the bandits managed to escape into the forest with the kidnapped villagers.
Efforts to contact the spokesperson for Operation Hadarin Daji, Lt Col Suleiman Omale, were unsuccessful. Omale told reporters he was unavailable due to a family burial.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in Zamfara. A similar mistaken airstrike in January 2025 reportedly killed at least 16 civilians.
