Several civilians were reportedly killed on Sunday morning after a military airstrike hit Guradnayi village near Kusasu in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, raising fresh concerns over the growing number of accidental bombings in communities affected by insecurity across the country.
Residents said the incident happened around 5 am when military aircraft were allegedly pursuing armed terrorists moving on motorcycles through the area.
Local sources claimed that at least 12 people died in one house alone after bombs landed in the village during the operation.
According to residents, many of the victims were villagers and displaced persons who had been fleeing attacks by terrorists operating in parts of Shiroro and nearby communities.
One source said the attack occurred suddenly while residents were trying to escape from the area following reports of terrorist movements.
“Twelve people were killed in one house,” a resident said.
“The rest were people from Kusasu who were running away from the terrorists.”
Another resident explained that military aircraft were seen flying over the area shortly before the explosions occurred.
According to him, the operation appeared to be aimed at armed groups who had moved through nearby communities on motorcycles.
“The military first threw a bomb near the river in Kusasu,” he said.
“The second bomb was dropped at Guradnayi.”
As of Sunday evening, the Nigerian Air Force had not released an official statement on the incident, while the number of casualties was still unclear.
There were also fears that the death toll could rise as local volunteers and residents continued searching through damaged buildings and surrounding bushes.
Shiroro Local Government Area has remained one of the worst-hit areas in Niger State due to repeated attacks by armed groups commonly referred to as bandits or terrorists.
Over the past few years, many communities in Shiroro, Munya and Rafi local government areas have faced killings, kidnappings and mass displacement caused by heavily armed criminal gangs.
Several villages in the area have been abandoned as residents fled to safer towns and camps for internally displaced persons.
Security forces have repeatedly carried out air and ground operations against the armed groups operating in forests across Niger State and parts of the North-West region.
However, some of these military operations have also resulted in civilian casualties, especially in remote communities where residents and fleeing villagers are sometimes mistaken for criminals.
The latest incident in Guradnayi has once again brought attention to the dangers faced by civilians living in conflict zones and the challenges security agencies face in identifying targets during air operations.
In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed several accidental airstrikes in different parts of the country.
In January 2023, many civilians were killed in Nasarawa State after a military airstrike reportedly hit local vigilantes who were mistaken for criminal groups.
In another major incident in December 2023, dozens of villagers were killed in Tudun Biri community in Kaduna State after bombs dropped during a military operation struck civilians celebrating a religious gathering.
That incident drew national outrage and led to calls for improved intelligence gathering and better coordination during military operations.
Human rights groups and community leaders have repeatedly urged security agencies to strengthen surveillance systems and verify targets carefully before launching air attacks in populated areas.
Residents in Shiroro said fear and confusion spread across nearby communities after Sunday’s bombing, with many families fleeing into surrounding bushes and villages.
Some villagers reportedly abandoned their homes immediately after hearing the explosions, fearing more attacks from either terrorists or further military action.
Community leaders also expressed concern about the worsening security situation in the area, saying residents now face danger from both terrorists and accidental military strikes.
A local resident said many rural communities have been trapped between armed groups attacking villages and military operations targeting the criminals.
“People no longer know where to run to,” he said.
“When terrorists come, villagers run. When aircraft come, people are also afraid.”
The incident is expected to increase pressure on the military to improve operational accuracy, especially in areas where terrorists often mix with local populations or move through villages during attacks.
They also noted that many villages in conflict areas lack proper communication systems, making it difficult for residents to receive warnings before military operations begin.
Despite the challenges, residents in affected communities continue to call on the government to strengthen security and end the persistent attacks that have disrupted farming, education and normal life across parts of Niger State.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to announce an official casualty figure or confirm the details of the operation.
Residents said many families were still searching for missing relatives while preparations for the burial of victims had already begun in some affected communities.