Military Airstrike Allegedly Kills Seven Vigilantes in Niger

On Thursday, a bomb reportedly dropped from a military aircraft killed seven vigilantes and injured eight others in Kukoki-Bassa community, Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State. The vigilantes were gathered to strategize against the movement of suspected bandits when the incident occurred.

Ayuba Umar Kamas, the commander of the Kukoki vigilante group, confirmed the attack, stating that three aircraft were seen in the area, with one allegedly dropping the bomb. The deceased included four from Kukoki, one from Bassa, and three from Matuku.

The injured were transported to IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna for treatment, with some suffering severe injuries. Kamas expressed concern over why the military operation targeted their group while bandits continued to operate freely.

Following the incident, Niger State Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba facilitated the evacuation of the injured. The community has since been largely deserted, and there has been no official statement from the Niger State Government or the Nigerian Air Force regarding the airstrike.