TheCable

Six civilians died on Monday during an attempt by the  Nigerian military to foil an attack by suspected Boko Haram members, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

Very early on Monday morning, gunmen believed to be members of Boko Haram attacked Dille village in Askira Uba local government area of Borno state, killing people and torching houses and churches.

Soldiers attempted to botch their escape by opening fire from a warplane on suspected insurgents; and a witness has now said that although some of the insurgents were killed, six innocent civilians — four women and two children — died as well.

“The pilot was just spraying bullets anywhere,” said Suleiman Haruna, a resident.

“People were running here and there. Many people were injured from the bullets.”

Although the defence headquarters declined to comment on the incident, Reuters said a security source confirmed that a military plane was deployed.

Asides declining to comment on the use of warplane, the military — against its standard practice — also did not announce the killing of insurgents in Borno state on Monday.