Seven innocent civilians were killed by a military airstrike that hit Yauni community, Zakka ward of Safana Local Government Area in Katsina State. Three other security personnel, including two police officers and an operative of the state-owned Community Watch Corps (CWC), were earlier killed in a gun duel with bandits.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that the incident occurred due to the local government election held on Saturday. The bandits had planned to attack voters in Zakka village, but security forces intervened to thwart the attack, leading to a gunfight. During the clash, a police officer and a CWC operative were killed, and a third police officer, who was injured, later died.
Following the incident, a military fighter jet, most likely sent as reinforcement, dropped a bomb on Yauni community, south of Zakka. This airstrike resulted in the death of six members of a family, while one woman sustained injuries.
This incident is not the first time Katsina residents have been victims of accidental airstrikes. In July 2022, at least two people were killed after a military fighter jet dropped a bomb in Kunkunni village in the same Safana Local Government Area.
Attempts to get a response from the police and military regarding Saturday's attack have so far been unsuccessful.