An unspecified number of civilians have reportedly died following a military airstrike on Guradnayi, a settlement near Kusasu in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
Sources said the incident occurred early Sunday, with witnesses estimating that at least 12 people were killed in one residence.
“It happened around 5 a.m.,” Auta Awododo, a resident of Kusasu, said, adding that one of the victims was his cousin’s son.
“Twelve people were killed in his house. The rest were Kusasu people who were fleeing from the terrorists,” Awododo added.
Residents said armed men on motorcycles had passed through the area while being pursued by military aircraft.
“The military first threw a bomb near the river in Kusasu,” one resident said. “The second bomb was dropped at Guradnayi.”
The Nigerian Air Force has not issued an official statement, and its spokesperson has yet to respond to enquiries.
Locals say this is not the first such incident, noting previous airstrikes in Shiroro that resulted in civilian casualties but were never fully resolved.
A security source confirmed that the armed group moved from Kusasu into neighbouring Munya, where they are still active.
“As I speak to you now, they (terrorists) are operating in Kabula near Kuchi,” the source said.
“There’s no confirmed report of abduction or killings yet, but they have rustled many cattle from communities in Munya.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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