The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has attributed the deaths of approximately ten individuals in Sokoto to what it described as a “secondary explosion” following a military strike in the region.
The Sokoto State Government had previously reported that ten villagers were killed and several others injured during military operations in Silame Local Government Area. However, Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, clarified that the fatalities and injuries were not directly caused by the airstrikes but were the result of secondary explosions.
He elaborated on the cause of the secondary explosions, explaining that one of the targeted locations was a terrorist logistics base within the community. This base housed weapon caches and supplies. Buba explained during a media briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja that when the military munition hit the base, it triggered a secondary explosion, which sent debris flying and resulted in the deaths of the ten individuals.
“The people who were affected were not struck directly by the airstrikes,” Buba said. “The direct targets of the airstrikes were members of the Lakurawa terrorist group, who were burned beyond recognition.”
Buba confirmed that the operation was successful in targeting the terrorist group in the area. He noted that the military took extra measures to ensure the individuals targeted were indeed terrorists. “We confirmed the identities of those at the location through human intelligence before carrying out the operation. Our intelligence team verified that it was the Lakurawa terrorist group, and we proceeded with a joint operation involving both the Air Force and ground forces.”
According to Buba, the Air Force conducted precision strikes using guided munitions, after which ground forces moved in to assess the site. “After the airstrikes, the land component confirmed that the objectives were hit successfully,” he concluded.
