NewStats: 3,263,294 , 8,179,676 topics. Date: Thursday, 05 June 2025 at 11:50 AM 44634s

“We Were On Trail Of Terrorists When Nigerian Air Force Jet Bombed Us” — Zamfara Vigilantes


of the local vigilantes in Zamfara have narrated how the Nigerian Air Force jets bombed them while they were chasing terrorists that attacked Garin Mani, a village in the Maru Local Government Area.

The vigilantes asserted that some of their were among those killed in the NAF airstrikes during the attack on Saturday.

While the Nigerian Air Force confirmed that two local vigilantes lost their lives when troops from Operation Fasan Yamma thwarted the attack, the vigilantes maintained their stance, saying the numbers were more than that.

It was gathered that the air assets were deployed to Garin Mani, a village in Maru Local Government Area on Saturday, following an attack carried out by the bandits.

The attack, according to locals, left several residents dead and over 50 others abducted, mostly farmers working on their fields.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants arrived on motorcycles around noon, opening fire indiscriminately and causing widespread panic.

A vigilante who spoke to BBC Hausa said his colleagues were mobilised and gave chase to the fleeing terrorists.

He said: “We were pursuing the bandits when we saw the fighter jet approaching. It flew very low and started bombing us. Some of us survived by pretending we had been hit. When the jet left, we got up and fled to safety.”

A resident, speaking anonymously, claimed that the military misfired and expressed disappointment over the military's lack of communication.

“We understand it was an unfortunate mistake, but the military should acknowledge what happened and reach out to the victims’ families,” he said.

He also called on the government to send additional troops to the area, as the bandits had threatened to return.

Sources revealed that, because of the challenging terrain where the bandits carried out the attack, the ground troops alerted their counterparts in the Air Force to address the threat.

Confirming the operation, the spokesman of the NAF, Ehimen Ejodame, told journalists in Abuja that the force destroyed more than 21 motorcycles that were used by the bandits for the attack during its air interdiction.

“The operation, carried out in the general area south of Mai-Galma in Maru Local Government Area, was aimed at halting a planned large-scale attack on vulnerable communities by bandits.

“Intelligence received indicated that a significant number of terrorists were massing and preparing to strike unsuspecting settlements,” Ejodame, an Air Commodore explained.

According to him, further intelligence confirmed that the bandits had killed some farmers and abducted a number of civilians, including women and children.

He added, “Consequently, NAF aircraft under Operation FANSAN YAMMA was immediately dispatched on armed reconnaissance and possible rescue mission.

“On arrival at the area, over 30 motorcycles carrying armed terrorists heading into the nearby forest were positively identified.

“On sighting the aircraft, the terrorists opened fire, prompting a precision engagement that led to the destruction of several motorcycles and the neutralisation of dozens of terrorists.

“Ground forces were immediately mobilised to exploit the situation. They confirmed the destruction of enemy assets and the neutralisation of over 20 terrorists.”

Speaking further, Ejodame said the NAF authorities had commenced investigations regarding how the vigilantes paid the supreme price during the operation, urging the general public to remain calm.

He said, “Unfortunately, in the course of the operation, 2 local vigilantes lost their lives and 2 others sustained injuries in the crossfire.

“The NAF deeply regrets the loss of these brave vigilantes and remains committed to working with local communities to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.

“Efforts are ongoing to track and rescue the kidnapped villagers who were taken into the ading forest.”

https://saharareporters.com/2025/06/03/we-were-trail-terrorists-when-nigerian-air-force-jet-bombed-us-zamfara-vigilantes-react

Vigilantes wan stop wetin dey give the military billions of naira in allocation? That was why they bombed you people to smithereens.

If you are a Nigerian and you still see IPOB or ESN as a terrorist group then you are one of the most decieved person in Nigeria...

Just pause for a moment and ask yourself this:

The ESN and IPOB the military constantly goes into the bushes to fight in the south east , have you ever seen any news of the same military going after Fulani herdsmen killing people in the same south east?

Then ask yourself again why in the whole world, the only country or institution that called IPOB or ESN a terrorist organization is Nigeria while the same Nigeria doesn't see Fulani herdmen as terrorist group while the whole world and all foreign institutions see them as the 4th most deadliest terrorist group in the world...

That's why you shouldn't believe everything you read from the Nigerian media especially about IPOB and ESN because some are purely government sponsored, don't be deceived

I never ed the idea of rehabilitating terrorist in the name of repentant terrorist, it is even worse when you recruit them back into the military

Majority of the locals including the vigilantes are terrorist sympathisers and informants, if not, they can't easily ambush some of the military convoys. Same as what is happening in middle belts like Benue. Every time they bomb the terrorist camps, they always claim victims yet they want the military to perform magic.

There should be an efficient mode of communication between all parties fighting bandits/terrorists and all criminal elements to curtail this trend of bombing fellow security personnel, civilians etc

PriceActionZ:
Majority of the locals including the vigilantes are terrorist sympathisers and informants, if not, they can't easily ambush some of the military convoys. Same as what is happening in middle belts like Benue. Every time they bomb the terrorist camps, they always claim victims yet they want the military to perform magic.

The current military itself is almost like a terrorist organization, Tinubu has done nothing to clean it up, saboteurs right from Aso rock are working with terrorists...

That's why I shake my head anytime I see a southerner going to the military as a soldier and you're sent to the north or south east ..

Lack of strict and proper communication......

As a wanderer, just be mindful of your movements in targeted or suspected areas.......Nigerian military will just delete you...!!

The end is near.

We understand it was an unfortunate mistake, but the military should acknowledge what happened and reach out to the victims’ families,” he said.

Let's just assume it's an unfortunate mistake like he said. Cos, it can be difficult to differentiate between a vigilante and a bandit, especially when there is no synergy between the security agents and the local vigilantes

Air Force bombing herdsmen trailers

Your federal government sending its military to bomb 💣💥 you because you've located the terrorist hideout and surrounded them

And you think the soldiers who have been crying out are not saying the truth?

Okay

A p c is behind all the insecurity

This looks like communication issues


Also can be interpreted to mean sabotage

They called another person clueless

But they are the real definition of cluelessness.

Nigeria Military Are Not Professionals,
Their Conducts, Training, Behaviour, Skills Are ZERO

repented terrorists must be the ones flying those bombers

You were on trail of a very important political tool.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

The greatest threat to national security is a government that can not be trusted

Safe to assume that our soldiers are protecting the bandits from citizens that decided to protect themselves, this not the first nor the second occurence of such "mishap"....

This is a deeply unfortunate and troubling incident. While the Nigerian Air Force has a critical role in combating terrorism, the loss of innocent lives—especially those of local vigilantes who were actively defending their community—is heartbreaking. The confusion and lack of coordination between ground forces and air assets raise serious concerns about operational efficiency and intelligence sharing.

It is commendable that the military was proactive in preventing further attacks, but incidents like this highlight the need for better communication between security agencies and local defenders. Vigilantes play a crucial role in many communities affected by insecurity, often stepping in where formal security forces are limited. Losing them in a mistaken strike is not just tragic—it discourages grassroots efforts in the fight against terrorism.

The government must ensure a transparent investigation into what happened and take necessary measures to prevent such errors in the future. More importantly, families of the deceased deserve acknowledgment and , not just a ing statement of regret. The fight against terrorism should not come at the cost of innocent lives.

Hmm

The military didn't misfire. They were protecting their source of income. May God help Nigeria.

Lol. Dont reform them o. Look for bloody civillians and koibinant inibasiti.

Brendaniel:


The current military itself is almost like a terrorist organization, Tinubu has done nothing to clean it up, saboteurs right from Aso rock are working with terrorists...

That's why I shake my head anytime I see a southerner going to the military as a soldier and you're sent to the north or south east ..

Or is a clear case of saboteurs. They dont want the vigilantes to keep track of the bandits

Confusion

Why not bomb bandits nd bombing innocent ppl.. security In dis country is manipulated…

I pray mk God give us a good leader dt wnt be bias

Indispensable85:
The military didn't misfire. They were protecting their source of income. May God help Nigeria.

imagine annual defence budget in billions of USD. Any problem that attracts more money in Nigeria has never been solved. It grows and remains.

Poor coordination, SOS is the carry egress code

Hmmm...

Lok