Scores feared dead as military airstrike hits Niger community

Several civilians have reportedly lost their lives after a military airstrike struck Guradnayi village near Kusasu in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State early Sunday morning.

The tragic incident has sparked concern among residents and community leaders, with reports indicating that innocent villagers may have been caught in the strike.

According to Premium Times, residents said the attack happened around 5 am and followed the movement of armed terrorists on motorcycles through the area.

A resident of Kusasu, Auta Awododo, said at least 12 people died in the house of one of his relatives in Guradnayi.

“It happened around 5 am,” he said.

Mr Awododo also said one of the victims was his cousin’s son.

“Twelve people were killed in his house,” he said. “The rest were Kusasu people who were fleeing from the terrorists.”

Local residents claimed that military aircraft were pursuing terrorists before the bombs were dropped.

“The military first threw a bomb near the river in Kusasu,” one resident said.

“The second bomb was dropped at Guradnayi.”

The Nigerian Air Force had not yet released an official statement on the incident.