In Kuregba village of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, at least six children aged 5 to 12 years were reportedly killed by a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) air strike.

According to reports, the Joint Security Operatives’ air component accidentally hit the community while attempting to destroy terrorist hideouts in a section of the local government.

It was reported by residents to Crossfire Reports that several houses were demolished on Wednesday.

Salis Mohammed Sabo, spokesman for the Coalition of Shiroro Associations, said the incident occurred in the morning as the children fetched water from a motorised borehole within the compound.

According to Sabo, a man lost two of his daughters and two granddaughters in the air strike, he also noted that the neighborhood where the bombing occurred was not a bandit hideaway.

“Terrorist training camps are well-known. Terrorists in the area are divided into two groups, each with its own camp. “One connects with the community through Unguwan Zomo, while the other connects with the community through the Kwantan Yashi region,” he explained.

Attempts to contact the NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, were unsuccessful because calls to his cell phone were not answered.

As of the time of reporting this article, he has not responded to a text message sent to his phone, neither has he given a statement.