Airstrike kills dozens of civilians in Niger community as NAF holds mum

An unknown number of civilians have reportedly been killed following a military airstrike on Guradnayi, a settlement near Kusasu in Shiroro Local Government Area of ​​Niger State..

Sources said the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, when military aircraft reportedly targeted fleeing residents and suspected armed groups in the area.

One resident, Auta Awododo, said the attack occurred around 5am, claiming that at least 12 people were killed in one house alone.

“It happened around 5 in the morning. Twelve people were killed in a house. One of them was my cousin’s son,” he said.

Awododo added that many other victims were Kusasu residents who had fled their homes following the invasion by gunmen believed to be terrorists.

Residents said the attackers, riding motorcycles, had previously passed through the community while being followed by military aircraft.

According to eyewitness accounts, the first explosive was dropped near a river in Kusasu before a second shot hit Guradnayi, where casualties were recorded.

“The military first dropped a bomb near the river in Kusasu. The second was dropped in Guradnayi,” another resident said.

At the time of writing this report, the Nigerian Air Force had not yet released an official statement on the incident, while its spokesperson did not respond to questions.

Residents have complained that similar airstrikes in Shiroro in the past have resulted in civilian casualties, with little accountability or investigation.

Meanwhile, a security source confirmed that the armed group has moved from Kusasu to nearby Munya Local Government Area, where they are reportedly still active.

“As I speak, terrorists are operating in Kabula, near Kuchi. There are no confirmed reports of killings or kidnappings yet, but they have stolen many cattle,” the source said.

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