The fight against bandits and terrorists in Northwestern and some parts of North-Central Nigeria have also caused severe civilian casualties, adding to the increasing numbers of civilians that are killed by the bandits on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
During military raid of bandits hideouts, many civilians have been killed from sporadic shootings and one of the major way civilians are killed during shut-aside is through stray bullets. This civilian killings could be seen from two angles:
- The bandits and terrorists aren't wearing conventional military uniform like the military do.
- They're also part of the society and looks like the normal citizens.
However, banditry operations in Northwestern and North-Central Nigeria, have been a bone in the neck of the Nigerian military as well as the Nigerian government. About two weeks ago, the president gave the joint military (Army, Navy and Airforce) the go ahead to end banditry and terrorists activities in Northern Nigeria.
This command by the president have brought both positive and negative effects on the general populace. The positive aspect is the constant military operations in the area that have caused many deaths and arrest of bandits and terrorists during military raiding.
From the negative standpoint, it has caused the death of civilians who were mistaken to be bandits and terrorists. Just two days ago, an Airforce military jet during military raiding of bandits has killed 6 children.
The incident took place in the Kurebe area of Shiroro Local Government Area on April 13, Salis Sabo, spokesperson for the Coalition of Shiroro Association (COSA), said in a statement on Wednesday.Source
The alleged incident as described by the Airforce spokesman as a mistake. We're talking about the lives of innocent Nigerian children and they're referring to this as a mistaken shootout.
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.Source
One of the parent of the victims described the incident and said there were no bandits within the area during the sporadic shootings by the men of the Nigerian Air Force.
The man further said that the military are aware of the bandits and terrorists hideouts and wondered why the Air Force jet started shooting in the community.
In conclusion, those officers on that jet should be brought to book for their negligence and court-martialed for their act.
More on this news will be brought to us in subsequent bulletin with regards to the steps taken against the said men on operations that day.
Thank you.