The Nigerian military has responded to the deadly airstrike that occurred on Christmas Day in Sokoto State.
The bombing, meant to target Lakurawa terrorists, mistakenly hit two civilian communities, Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa in the Silame Local Government Area, killing at least 10 villagers and injuring many more.
In the aftermath, General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, warned civilians against harboring criminals, stating that communities that protect militants or bandits make themselves legitimate targets for military action.
He stressed that the military would not take responsibility for civilian casualties resulting from such alliances. Musa also assured that the incident would be investigated, with video evidence to confirm the details of the operation.
Sokoto’s Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, along with other political leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-governor Aminu Tambuwal, condemned the airstrike and called for a full and impartial investigation into the tragic loss of life.
Governor Aliyu visited the affected areas, offering condolences and providing financial aid to the victims’ families.
Atiku Abubakar described the airstrike as devastating, calling for greater precision in military operations to avoid further loss of innocent lives.
Tambuwal similarly expressed outrage, emphasising that while combating terrorism is crucial, military operations must prioritize the protection of civilians and ensure accountability.
In response to the incident, the military has vowed to continue efforts to eliminate terrorist threats, with ongoing deployments to combat groups like Lakurawa.
The incident has sparked public outcry and calls for reforms in how such operations are conducted to prevent future tragedies.
