Accidental Airstrike Kills Family of Six in Katsina

• A military airstrike in Katsina State mistakenly killed seven civilians in Yauni community after a gun battle between security forces and bandits

• This incident follows a history of accidental airstrikes in Katsina, with a similar event occurring in July 2022 in Kunkunni village

A military airstrike mistakenly hit Yauni community in Zakka ward, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing seven innocent civilians, including six members of a single family.

The tragic incident followed an earlier gun battle between security forces and bandits. During the clash, three security personnel—two police officers and an operative of the state-owned Community Watch Corps (CWC)—were killed.

A resident, who requested anonymity, told reporters that the airstrike was linked to the local government election on Saturday. According to him, bandits had planned to attack voters in Zakka village.

Security agents, upon learning of the planned attack, moved in to prevent it, leading to a shootout in which a police officer and a CWC operative lost their lives. A third police officer, who was injured in the exchange, later succumbed to his injuries.

“It was after that incident that a military fighter jet, possibly sent for reinforcement, mistakenly dropped a bomb on Yauni community, south of Zakka. This led to the death of six members of a family, while one woman sustained injuries,” the source said.

This is not the first time Katsina residents have suffered casualties from accidental airstrikes. In July 2022, at least two people were killed when a military fighter jet mistakenly bombed Kunkunni village in the same Safana Local Government Area.

Efforts to get official reactions from the police and military regarding Saturday’s airstrike were unsuccessful.