The Nigerian Government has announced a comprehensive investigation into the accidental bombing on Wednesday that claimed the lives of 10 people in the Gidan Bisa and Runtuwa villages of Silame Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
This was disclosed on Friday in a statement by Ahmad Aliyu, Press Secretary to the Sokoto State Governor.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, revealed the government’s commitment to a thorough probe during a condolence visit to Governor Ahmed Aliyu in Sokoto. He described the incident as tragic and assured that the investigation would uncover the circumstances surrounding the event.
Minister’s Condolence and Assurance
“Mr President is deeply concerned about the unfortunate incident, and he instructed me to convey his condolences and commitment to justice,” Matawalle said.
He explained that errors in military operations could occasionally occur due to incorrect intelligence. According to him, the affected area was confirmed to be dominated by Lakurawa bandits, which had influenced the military’s decision to strike.
Governor Aliyu’s Response
In response, Governor Aliyu urged the military to enhance their intelligence gathering and surveillance efforts to prevent similar errors in future operations.
He commended the armed forces and other security agencies for their dedication to ensuring safety in the state, while also expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his concern over the tragic incident.
Defence Headquarters’ Statement
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) attributed the fatalities to a “secondary explosion” caused by the strikes. Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, explained during a briefing in Abuja that the explosion occurred at a terrorist logistics base targeted in the operation.
“When munitions hit the logistics base, secondary explosions ensued, leading to debris flying and causing the reported deaths. The 10 victims were not directly hit by the airstrikes,” Buba stated.
He added that the Lakurawa terrorist group, which occupied the area, was the primary target of the strikes. The operation was confirmed as successful by ground forces deployed to the site following the airstrikes.
General Buba emphasised that the military conducted the operation with precision.
“We confirmed the targets through human intelligence before executing a synchronised operation involving the Air Force and ground forces. The Air Force used precision munitions, and the strikes successfully hit the intended objective,” he noted.
The military’s actions were directed at eliminating the Lakurawa terrorist group, who, according to reports, were severely impacted by the operation.
TheNigerian Government’s investigation aims to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences. Both the Sokoto State Government and the military have reaffirmed their commitment to improving security measures while addressing the tragic consequences of the incident.