Northern Group Slams Military Over Zamfara Air Strike

By Abdullahi Alhassan Kaduna 

A Northern advocacy group, Northern Star Youth Empowerment Initiative (NSYEI), has strongly condemned the Nigerian Air Force's (NAF) airstrike that killed innocent civilians, including members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG), local vigilantes, and residents in Tungar Kara village, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The airstrike, which occurred on Saturday, resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals, with many others sustaining serious injuries and lacking immediate medical assistance. Dr. Abdullahi Idris, Director General of NSYEI, described the incident as "one too many" that has tarnished the image of the NAF, making it seem more specialized in killing innocent civilians than combating bandits.

Idris recalled a similar incident in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State last month, where scores of civilians were killed by the Air Force under similar circumstances. He also mentioned the killing of civilians in Kaduna State last year and several incidents in the fight against terrorism in the northeast.

NSYEI had called for an independent probe into the Sokoto incident, but their demands were ignored by military authorities. Idris warned that until the military allows for transparency and accountability in its counter-insurgency operations, innocent lives will continue to be lost needlessly.

The group has reiterated its call for an independent probe into the Zamfara airstrike, demanding that those responsible be held accountable, victims be compensated, and the NAF's counter-insurgency operations be overhauled to prevent similar incidents in the future.