SOKOTO State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has confirmed the accidental bombing of innocent villagers by military fighter jets in the state.
Governor Aliyu confirmed the incident whiel visiting the community accompanied by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in the state, Senator Aliyu Wamakko and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi.
At least 10 people were killed with several injured in military airstrike in the early hours of Wednesday.
The governor sympathised with the community and described the incident as unfortunate.
“The military jets were on their mission to eliminate criminals armed groups terrorizing the state, and mistakenly bombed innocent people of this community,” he said.
“We consider this as a mistake because the same military had on several occasions successfully raided so many criminal hideouts in the state.”
Aliyu stated that a thorough investigation would be conducted to find out what led to the avoidable mistake, so as to guard against its recurrence.
He also rayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased and give their families the strength to bear the loss.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa, announced a donation of ₦20 million and 100 bags of assorted foodstuffs to the families of the deceased.
He added that the state government would settle the medical bills of those hospitalised as a result of injuries they sustained from the bombardment.
News Point Nigeria had reported that a fighter jet has mistakenly bombed two communities in the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Shortly after our story, the military authorities issued a statement on the incident.
The spokesman for Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, however, did not confirm if military jets struck the communities.
He admitted that there is a significant risk that Lakurawa and other terrorist groups “may attempt to undermine military successes through media disinformation, necessitating caution concerning unverified claims, especially in the ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry.”
“The Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma has addressed recent reports concerning a military fighter jet allegedly bombing civilian structures in the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State,” he said.
“These reports have raised concerns; however, it is crucial to clarify that all military operations are conducted based on thorough intelligence and reconnaissance missions. This rigorous process is particularly important when targeting groups like the Lakurawa terrorist organisation, as it aims to ensure precision and protect civilian lives.
