Concerns regarding the protection of civilians during military operations against terrorists have been raised by an airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force in Shawu village, Ruwan Godiya district of Faskari local government area, which is believed to have killed several people and injured others.

According to reports, the strike, which took place early on Thursday morning, was intended to eliminate robbers who were causing havoc in the area. Local sources, however, assert that the operation unintentionally targeted people.

Katsina State citizen Salihu Bamle Bakatsine posted the information on his X account, writing:

The Shawu community was unintentionally attacked by the Nigerian Air Force moments ago. Numerous people have been reported deceased, and numerous others have been injured. May the Almighty heal the wounded and show mercy to those who lost their lives.

Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu, the Commissioner for Internal Security of Katsina State, denied reports of an unintentional blast. He underlined that the operation was a precision strike that was directed at local bandit hideouts that were known to exist.

“Whoever told you about the attack was lying by accident.” Terrorists were the objective of the deliberate bombing. The Nigerian military is very professional and only launches attacks following extensive monitoring and verified intelligence, Mu’azu said.

“Shawu has become notorious for harbouring terrorists, which is why the area was targeted,” he added, characterising Shawu as a haven for bandits and criminals.

Officials from the local government agreed.

Musa Ado Faskari, the local government area chairman of Faskari, said.

Due to bandits’ infiltration into the town, the bombing was accurate. Although it is regrettable that innocent people died, the sheer number of criminals in Shawu had already forced many citizens to leave.

According to preliminary reports, there have been at least four fatalities; the exact number of injuries has not yet been determined. To ascertain the complete extent of the damage, authorities are still evaluating the situation.

Reactions to the airstrike have been divided; some have praised the military’s efforts to fight terrorism, while others have questioned if the precautions taken to protect civilians in conflict areas are sufficient.

Military operations in the area are made more difficult by reports that Shawu hamlet has turned into a hub for criminal activity, such as banditry and kidnapping.

The event underscores the delicate balance between fighting terrorism and safeguarding innocent people as investigations continue.