The Nigeria military has claimed that the airstrike on Christmas Day in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State was based on intelligence and that those hit were terrorists.
The residents said at least 10 civilians were killed as well as dozens of livestock at Gidan Sanma and Rumtuwa villages.
Residents told a local news outlet, Sokoto Obstacles, that several food silos and houses were also burnt.
Some survivors narrated how the airstrike caused human and animal casualties.
“It’s multiple airstrikes. The big one fell here, causing heavy destruction which affected our houses and food silos,” a resident said.
The victims have however been buried.
The state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has demanded an investigation of the incident.
Governor Aliyu said in a statement that he was “in direct communication with the leadership of the Nigerian Army to ensure a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this tragedy.”
He added that the state government would do everything it could to support the affected families and engage with the relevant authorities to prevent such occurrences in the future.
