Suspected military airstrike kills seven vigilantes, injures others in Niger

An airstrike reportedly killed seven vigilantes and injured eight others near Kukoki-Bassa community in Niger State, Nigeria. The attack took place on Thursday when the vigilantes were meeting to discuss how to respond to bandits moving through the area. Community sources say the victims were taken to IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna for treatment, while the vigilante commander, Ayuba Umar Kamas, told reporters that the bomb was dropped from a military aircraft.

Kamas claimed seven of the group were killed and eight injured, with some suffering severe injuries, including the loss of both legs. He questioned why the airstrike targeted his group when bandits continued moving through the area, and noted that Niger State Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, from the same local government, helped evacuate the injured.

Despite claims that the local government and state authorities provided no support, vigilantes from neighboring Rafi Local Government assisted in burying the dead. However, there is no official statement from any Nigerian security agency regarding the alleged military airstrike or the circumstances surrounding the explosion.