A survivor of the airstrike in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State has recounted the harrowing experience of watching her family perish in the tragic incident.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, the emotional woman, who
requested anonymity, described how her father, mother, and four younger
siblings were burnt to death during the airstrike.
“I saw them burning – my mother, my father, and my three
younger brothers,” she said in tears.
Recall that the airstrike which hit Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa
communities in Silame Local Government Area on Wednesday claimed the lives of
10 civilians, animals and also left many other people injured.
The fighter jet was targeting Lakurawa terrorists in the
areas, but in the process, dropped explosives on some innocent people.
One resident, Usman Manuga, who narrated the tragic event,
said “After the Fajr (early morning) prayer, we noticed planes flying overhead.
Moments later, bombs were dropped, and everything went up in flames.”
Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, who visited the villages
where the incidents happened, sympathized with the victims of the airstrikes.
The governor promised to set up a committee to investigate
the incident in order to avert future reoccurrence.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator, Joint Media Coordination Centre
of the Operation, Lt-Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, explained that military
operations were conducted based on thorough intelligence and reconnaissance
missions.
However, the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has promised to launch
a thorough investigation into airstrikes on the two villages.
Reacting, the NAF spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olusola
Akinboyewa, insisted the airstrikes were carried out based on credible
intelligence from multiple sources and confirmatory aerial surveillance.
He, however, assured that reports of civilian casualties
would be thoroughly investigated.
“The airstrikes were conducted based on credible
intelligence from multiple sources, along with confirmatory aerial
surveillance.
“Nevertheless, reports of possible harm to civilians will be
thoroughly investigated and we will update you appropriately,” he said.
Meanwhile, a northern youth advocacy group, Northern Star
Initiative, has decried the tragic incident.
In a statement in Kaduna on Thursday, the Director-General
of the movement, Abdullahi Idris, noted that there were conflicting accounts of
the incident between the villagers and state officials.
He urged the Federal Government to set up an independent
investigative committee to find out the truth of what truly transpired.
Recalling a similar incident of the bombing of Tudun Biri
community in Kaduna State while the locals were celebrating Eid-el Maulud last
year, Idris said, the errors were getting too many and too costly in terms of
human lives.
He called on the military authorities to take urgent
measures to stem the ugly tide.
“An independent high-level investigation should be carried
out immediately, and those found liable should be punished and adequate and
commensurate compensation should be given to those that lost their loved ones
in the unfortunate incident,” Idris added.
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