NAF Airstrike Kills Six Children In Niger State

Six children have been reportedly killed in Niger State following an airstrike carried out by one of the fighter jets belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

The unfortunate incident was said to have occurred in the Kurebe area of Shiroro Local Government Area on April 13.

According to information gathered by Naija News, the NAF fighter jet had been deployed to take out bandit terrorists in the area but the strike mistakenly hit the innocent children who were said to be on their way home from where they had gone to fetch water.

The development was made known in a statement on Wednesday by the spokesperson of the Coalition of Shiroro Association (COSA), Salis Sabo.

Those killed by the airstrike included two children who had previously been orphaned during a bandit attack on their village.

The statement added that the airstrike targeted a civilian location and not the known hideout of the terrorists in the area.

“A man who lost two of his daughters and granddaughters in the incident said there was no single bandit within the village at the time the aircraft bombarded the innocent children,” Sabo said.

“He added that the terrorist camps are well known. He said the terrorists around the community are of two groups, with two different camps. One links up with the community through Unguwan Zomo, the other through Kwantan Yashi area. Therefore, they do not understand why fighter jet would be targeting the community where civilians live.

“The two other children who lost their lives in the incidents have for long lost their parents. One of them is a daughter of late Malam Isah Kurebe and the other is a daughter of late Malam Adamu Kurebe, who was killed by the terrorists two years ago. The innocent child he left behind has now been taken away by a similar fate. This is the second time this type of incident is happening.”

When contacted for a reaction, NAF spokesperson, Edward Gabkwet refused to comment on the matter, The Cable reports.