Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has clarified that the recent military airstrike in the North-Western state, which resulted in the deaths of over 16 residents, was not intentional....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
Speaking during a televised interview on Wednesday, the governor expressed his condolences to the affected families and communities, emphasizing that the tragic incident occurred amid military efforts to combat banditry in the region.
“It was not intentional. It was in the process of fighting these bandits that they were struck,” Governor Lawal said, addressing the incident that took place in the Tungar Kara community of Maradun Local Government Area on January 11. He confirmed that the Chief of Air Staff had established a committee to investigate the incident and provide support to the state government and the affected families. The committee visited the area the previous day for an on-the-spot assessment.
Governor Lawal further explained that he had been aware of the military operation prior to the airstrike, noting that he had personally invited the Nigerian Air Force to neutralize bandits who were attacking the region. He expressed confidence in the military’s capabilities, stating that he believed the armed forces could effectively tackle banditry within a month.
The governor also addressed the ongoing battle against bandits in the state, declaring that the days of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji were numbered. He assured that Turji would soon be neutralized, following the successful elimination of other top bandits in the area.
The deadly airstrike, which occurred in Tungar Kara, resulted in the loss of over 16 lives. In response to the tragedy, the Nigerian Air Force deployed a fact-finding team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack. The team met with Governor Lawal on Tuesday to discuss the incident and determine the necessary steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Zamfara State, along with other north-western and central regions of Nigeria, has been battling the persistent threat of banditry. Armed bandits have been terrorizing villages, burning homes, and abducting residents for ransom. The military has been actively engaged in operations to combat these criminal groups, but accidental airstrikes have tragically occurred in recent months. Notably, a Christmas Day airstrike in Sokoto State resulted in the deaths of at least 10 civilians, and in 2023, an airstrike in Kaduna State mistakenly killed 85 civilians, mostly women and children, during a religious gathering.
The recent tragedy adds to the ongoing concerns regarding the safety and effectiveness of military operations in conflict zones across northern Nigeria. ...CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
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