A Nigerian military airstrike targeting bandits has mistakenly killed six members of a family in Yauni community, Zakka Ward, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, leaving the entire community in mourning.
According to eyewitness accounts, the victims included three children, a man, and two women, all from the same family. The tragic incident occurred in the aftermath of Saturday’s local government elections, during a security operation aimed at thwarting an alleged bandit attack on voters in Zakka village.
Security forces, including the police and members of the State Community Watch Corps (CWC), had earlier engaged the bandits in a fierce gunfight. Reports indicate that two police officers and a CWC operative lost their lives in the battle before the airstrike was called in, with devastating consequences.
The military and government authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but residents are expressing outrage and grief over yet another case of unintended civilian casualties.
This is not the first time a Nigerian military operation has resulted in accidental civilian deaths. In July 2022, an airstrike mistakenly killed two people in Kunkunni village, also in Safana LGA. Earlier in 2025, another airstrike in Zamfara State left 16 people dead, including vigilante members and local residents.
The latest tragedy raises fresh concerns over the accuracy of military operations in conflict-prone regions and the need for better intelligence to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
