Tension gripped residents of Guradnayi settlement near Kusasu in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State on Sunday following a reported military airstrike that allegedly claimed the lives of several civilians.
Sources in the area said the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when military aircraft pursuing armed bandits reportedly bombed locations within the community.
Although the exact casualty figure remains unclear, eyewitnesses claimed that no fewer than 12 persons died in a single house affected by the strike.
A resident of Kusasu, identified as Auta Awododo, said the airstrike occurred around 5 a.m., adding that one of the victims was his cousin’s son.
According to him, many of those killed were residents fleeing attacks by terrorists operating in the area.
“Twelve people died in one house alone. Others affected were people from Kusasu who were escaping from the terrorists,” he said.
Residents alleged that armed men riding motorcycles had moved through the community while being chased by military aircraft before the bombs were dropped.
One resident said the first explosive was reportedly dropped near a river in Kusasu, while another strike later hit Guradnayi settlement.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Air Force had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while efforts to obtain a reaction from its spokesperson were unsuccessful.
Community members said the latest incident had revived concerns over previous airstrikes in parts of Shiroro Local Government Area that allegedly resulted in civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, a security source disclosed that the armed group later moved from Kusasu into neighbouring Munya Local Government Area, where they were reportedly still active.
The source said the terrorists were sighted around Kabula near Kuchi, adding that although there was no immediate report of abduction or killings, several cattle had allegedly been rustled from communities within the area.