The Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has confirmed that scores of civilians and soldiers lost their lives during a military airstrike against suspected terrorists at Malele and Mutunji communities in the Maru Local Government Areas of the state last Sunday.
He stopped short of confirming the figure of 213 that has been in the public domain.
Matawalle, in a state broadcast, explained that the security forces were carrying out onslaught against suspected terrorists who have been terrorising innocent citizens at Malele and Mutunji communities when the collateral damage occurred.
He commiserated with the families of the victims and soldiers who lost their lives in the service of fatherland.
He said the state government would support the victims and their families.
He assured that his administration remain committed to supporting the security forces with logistics and resources to enable them win the ongoing war against the terror groups unleashing mayhem on innocent citizens in the state.
Meanwhile, PRNigeria has disclosed that no fewer than 213 bodies, comprising that of terrorists and their collaborators have been recovered days after intense exchanges of gunfire between Nigerian troops and terrorists in some Zamfara communities, PRNigeria gathered
The military also lost 10 personnel while some civilians were killed when bandits fled toward the communities.
PRNigeria on Monday reported that the air component and ground troops of Operation Hadarin Daji recorded a major victory after eliminating terrorists in Malele Village of Dansadau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Aircraft from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and ground troops of the Nigerian Army, sustained a well-coordinated joint operation since last Saturday.
Terrorist activities in the area have been exacerbated due to the lingering crisis between Hausas and Fulanis over the devouring of farm produce thereby making the area very volatile, especially in Malele, Maigoge, Yan Sawayu, Ruwan Tofa, Mai Awaki, and Zama Lafiya, all under Mutunji district of Dansadau Emirate Council.
A defence intelligence operative had told PRNigeria how the security services mobilised their troops in launching a series of attacks and airstrikes against those warring bandits coming from different parts of the country.
“Both the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operations are yielding fantastic results in the area with several terrorists being eliminated as the battle is still on.
“Bandits who were fleeing from NAF airstrikes ran into a small village called Mutunji to take refuge. After ensuring that civilian lives in the village were not at risk, the NAF aircraft undertook a precision strike at the exact location while the ground troops cleared the fleeing bandits in their escape bids,” the operative had said.
But in an update on Tuesday, credible sources in the community told PRNigeria that 10 soldiers paid the supreme price while their colleagues, pounded the terrorists.
“At least we counted 213 bodies of the bandit terrorists and their collaborators. Some civilians too were killed in what the military called ‘collateral damage’ when fleeing bandits hid in the communities.
“The attack on troops occurred when the troops with the support of local vigilantes were navigating the terrains for counter-attacks.”
In his condolence message, Governor Bello Matawalle, through Zailani Bappa, his Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the families of victims earlier caught in military fire against the marauding bandits.
“I wish to, on behalf of myself, my family, the state Government and the entire good people of Zamfara state, extend my sincere sympathy to those who were injured and the families of those who died as a result of this collateral damage,” the Governor said.
▪︎ Reorted by Channels TV & PRNigeria