An unspecified number of civilians have been reportedly killed following a military airstrike on Guradnayi, a settlement near Kusasu in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
Sources said that the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when military aircraft allegedly targeted fleeing residents and suspected armed groups in the area.
A resident, Auta Awododo, said the bombing happened around 5 a.m., claiming that at least 12 persons were killed in a single house.
“It happened around 5 a.m. Twelve people were killed in one house. One of them was my cousin’s son,” he said.
Awododo added that several other victims were residents of Kusasu who had fled their homes following the invasion of armed men believed to be terrorists.
Residents said the attackers, riding on motorcycles, had earlier passed through the community while being trailed by military aircraft.
According to eyewitness accounts, the first explosive was dropped near a river in Kusasu before a second strike hit Guradnayi, where the casualties were recorded.
“The military first dropped a bomb near the river in Kusasu. The second one was dropped at Guradnayi,” another resident said.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Air Force had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while its spokesperson did not respond to enquiries.
Residents lamented that similar airstrikes in Shiroro in the past had resulted in civilian casualties, with little accountability or investigation.
Meanwhile, a security source confirmed that the armed group had moved from Kusasu into neighbouring Munya Local Government Area, where they are reportedly still active.
“As I speak, the terrorists are operating in Kabula near Kuchi. There is no confirmed report of killings or abductions yet, but they have rustled many cattle,” the source said.
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