Seven children were killed "by mistake" in an air attack by the Nigerian army against "armed bandits" in the Maradi region, in southern Niger, near the border with Nigeria.

This was reported by the governor of the region, Chaïbou Aboubacar: "There was an error in the Nigerian raids which occurred right on the border with Niger and which caused victims on our territory in the village of Nachadé".

"The victims - added the governor - are twelve children, seven of whom died and five were injured".

Four children died instantly and three others died "from injuries sustained while being transported to hospital," Aboubacar added.

According to the governor, "the parents were attending a ceremony and the children were probably playing when the air strikes hit them."

The attacks were aimed at "armed bandits" in the border areas, but they "missed their target", hitting the village of Nachade instead, the governor said.

(Unioneonline / lf)

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