An airstrike in Tungar Kara, a town in northwestern Nigeria's Zamfara state, has left 15 civilians dead and several others injured, according to local residents. The strike, conducted by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), was reportedly aimed at targeting armed criminal gangs, locally known as bandits, who operate from nearby forests. However, the attack hit members of a local vigilante group and bystanders instead, prompting widespread anger and fear among the town's inhabitants.

On the day of the attack, vigilantes had gathered to launch an operation against the bandits. As the town prayed for their safe return, a military jet flew overhead, followed by a devastating explosion. Survivors have expressed shock and dismay at what they believe was a deliberate strike.

One survivor, Salihu Usman, was severely injured in the blast. "Bandits kill us, and now the military bombs us from the sky," he lamented, adding that he now perceives military aircraft as threats to his life.

The NAF, in a statement, denied targeting civilians but assured an investigation into the incident. This is not the first instance of civilian casualties caused by aerial campaigns. In December, a similar airstrike in Sokoto state claimed 10 lives, sparking criticism over the military's strategy.

Residents like Haliru Attahiru have questioned the accuracy of the military’s operations. "How do you bomb people in the town and not in the forest where the bandits are?" he asked, reflecting a growing distrust among locals toward the armed forces.

Analysts warn that such incidents could erode public support for the military's efforts against banditry. "If people feel unprotected and see themselves as collateral damage, it will significantly affect their trust in the military," said a researcher from the Institute for Security Studies.

For Usman and others in Tungar Kara, the tragedy has marked a turning point. The vigilante, once committed to defending his community, now doubts the intentions of the very forces meant to protect them. "I even suspect they collaborated to harm us," he said, expressing the depth of distrust now felt by many.

The incident underscores the need for greater precision and accountability in Nigeria's fight against armed criminal groups to avoid further civilian casualties and loss of faith in the military.