On Wednesday, the Federal Government expressed regret for the alleged 64 fatalities from an airstrike carried out by the Nigerian military on Sunday in the Mutumji Community, Maru Local Government Area, of Zamfara State.
Remember that during the airstrike intended to flush out terrorists who had allegedly infiltrated the area, some armed militants were killed, but residents, including women and children, also perished.
After armed bandits attacked the nearby settlements of Malele, Ruwan Tofa, and Yan-Awake on Saturday and Sunday, the Nigerian Air Force responded to distress calls from the inhabitants.
Residents claim that the attack on the three nearby towns was thwarted by the strike, which compelled the terrorists to flee towards the nearby Mutumji neighborhood.
Briefing journalists after this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, described the incident as “unfortunate.”
“In respect of the unfortunate collateral deaths in Zamfara State, the Federal Government regrets this. Fighting insurgency is a very difficult thing. And as much as the air force or the military are careful, once in a while, it does happen. That innocent people actually also suffer. We regret it.
“But I think it is the nature of fighting insurgency, and the military are very, very careful, especially the Air Force and the army when trying to contain insurgency not to allow innocent lives to be lost. The Air Force regrets it, we regret it. But unfortunately, once in a while, it happens.”
Discussion about this post