Nigerian Air Force Bombs Katsina Community in Anti-Terrorist Operation, Casualties Reported  

An airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force in Shawu village, Ruwan Godiya district, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, reportedly resulted in multiple casualties on Thursday morning. The operation, intended to target bandits in the area, has sparked controversy over the nature of its execution and the resulting fatalities.

Eyewitnesses claim the strike mistakenly hit the community, causing significant civilian casualties. Salihu Bamle Bakatsine, a Katsina resident, shared the incident on social media, expressing grief over the lives lost and injuries sustained.

“Moments ago, the Nigerian Air Force mistakenly bombarded Shawu community. Several people are now confirmed dead, and many others injured,” Bakatsine wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

However, state officials and military authorities have refuted these claims.

Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu, Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security, stated that the bombing was deliberate and targeted at terrorists operating in the area.

*”The bomb was dropped on purpose, and terrorists were the target. The Nigerian military conducts operations with precision, relying on surveillance and verified coordinates,”* Mu’azu said.

Similarly, Faskari Local Government Council Chairman, Musa Ado Faskari, supported the operation, emphasizing that Shawu had become a hub for bandits.

*”The airstrike was precise because bandits have infiltrated the community. It’s unfortunate, but many innocent residents had already left due to the heavy presence of criminals,”* he explained.

While the exact number of fatalities and injuries remains uncertain, Faskari confirmed that four deaths have been recorded so far, with efforts underway to ascertain the total number of wounded.

The incident has drawn mixed reactions. Residents and eyewitnesses have expressed concerns over the potential harm to innocent civilians, while authorities maintain that such operations are necessary to combat the growing threat of banditry and terrorism in the region.

The Nigerian military has not issued an official statement regarding the incident but is expected to provide further clarification as investigations continue.