April 21, (THEWILL) – At least six children have been reportedly killed in an airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Kurebe, Shiroro Local Government of Niger State.
Although, NAF is yet to react to the allegation, a statement by the spokesperson of the Coalition of Shiroro Associations (COSA), Salis Sabo, said the incident occurred on Wednesday, 13th April, 2022, while the children were on their way back from the borehole within Kurebe community where they went to get water.
Sabo said one of the victims who lost two of his daughters and two grand daughters in the incident said there was no presence of terrorist within the village at the time the aircraft bombarded the innocent children.
He added that the terrorists are of two camps in the community and their hideouts are well known in the community. One is along Unguwan Zomo, the other through Kwantan Yashi area.
Sabo also added that they do not understand why fighter jet would target the community where civilians live.
He maintained that they are living a life of denial and are constantly at the mercy of the terrorists as they come into the community at will, loot their property, rape their daughters, wives and mothers.
Sabo said they are forced to live in the village as anyone who attempts to leave will incur the wrath of the terrorists. He added that there are no presence of any security personnel in the area.
The statement read: “Six children were bombed to pieces by explosion from fighter jet belonging to Nigerian Air Force in Kurebe, Shiroro Local Government of Niger State. The incident happened on Wednesday the 13th of April, 2020, in the morning when the children were coming back to fetch water from a motorized borehole within Kurebe community,” the statement said.
“A man who lost two of his daughters and two grand daughters in the incident said; there was no single bandit within the village at the time the aircraft bombarded the innocent children. He added that the terrorists camps are well known. He said the terrorists around the community are of two groups, with two different camps. One links up with the community through Unguwan Zomo, the other through Kwantan Yashi area. Therefore, they do not understand why fighter jet would be targeting the community where civilians live.
“The person whose house was destroyed narrated their ordeal. He maintained that they are living a life of denial, they are at the mercy of the terrorists as the terrorists come into the community at will, loot their property, raped their daughters, wives and even their mothers. They forced then to live in the village as anyone who attempts to leave will incur the wrath of the terrorists. He added that there was no presence of any security personnel in the area.
“The two other children who lost their lives in the incidents have for long lost their parents. One of them is a daughter to late Malam Isah Kurebe and the other is a daughter to late Malam Adamu Kurebe, who was killed by the terrorists two years ago. The innocent child he left over, has now been taken away by similar fate. This is the second time this type of incident is happening.
“While we continue to vent, spleen, raise dust and even bring down the roof when occasion calls for that, to get the Government do what it has sworn to do. However, the continued pampering of these nefarious vermin who inflict terror straight from gutter will leave us with so much to be inferred.”
Meanwhile, the Niger State Government said it has commenced investigation into the incident.
Confirming the sad development, Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Matane, said the children were killed during a raid on the terrorists.
When asked if six children were killed by a NAF fighter jet, Matane replied, “Yes, it occurred, the government is looking into the incident and an investigation is ongoing to ascertain what happened.”
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