The Joint Task Force (JTF) North West, Operation Hadarin Daji, has averred that the locations hit by its airstrikes are confirmed hideouts of the dreaded Lakurawa terrorist group.
The Coordinator of the Joint Media Coordination Centre, Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, while debunking reports alleging that a military airstrike targeted civilian structures in Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa, Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
TheFact Daily gathers that, according to reports, a fighter jet, targeting Lakurawa jihadists in the Surame forest, mistakenly dropped bombs on assemblies of innocent villagers in Gidan Bisa, Gitta Rana, and Runtuwa villages of Silame Ward in Silame Local Government on Wednesday, killing at least 10 persons and injuring dozens of others.
Quashing the reports, Lt. Col. Abdullahi emphasized that all military operations in the region are guided by rigorous intelligence and reconnaissance to ensure precision and protect civilian lives.
“The operations were conducted following extensive intelligence and surveillance missions targeting the Lakurawa terrorist group. This process is critical in ensuring that only legitimate targets are engaged, with minimal risk to civilians”, Abdullahi stated
The JTF reiterated that the locations struck during the air operation were confirmed hideouts of the Lakurawa group, a notorious gang involved in terrorism and banditry in the region, adding that the operation was executed with the utmost professionalism to neutralize threats and restore peace to the affected areas.
Abdullahi also warned against the spread of misinformation and unverified reports, noting that terrorist groups often exploit such narratives to discredit military efforts.
“There is a significant risk that terrorist groups may attempt to undermine military successes through media disinformation. The public is urged to rely on confirmed information to avoid unnecessary panic and confusion,” the statement read.
The JTF reaffirmed its commitment to conducting operations with precision and ensuring the safety of all innocent civilians while intensifying efforts to eliminate terrorist and bandit networks across the region.
Operation Hadarin Daji called on the public to support security agencies by providing credible information that could aid ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in Sokoto State and beyond.
