Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal has described the recent military airstrike in the North-Western state as unintentional....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
Governor Lawal, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today yesterday, commiserated with the families affected by the tragic incident.The governor disclosed that he was aware of the military operation before the tragedy, explaining that he had personally called for the Air Force’s intervention to neutralise bandits attacking the area.
“We have been battling issues within the last three days as a result of the airstrike. Let me say this, I have full information on what happened that fateful day, because we made the distress call to the Air Force in terms of some bandits attacking communities, and they quickly responded, and they were able to neutralise a lot of bandits,” he explained.
“But on the second time when we made the same reports, unfortunately at that time, they were some what we call the CPGs and some of those communities that came to rescue those under attacks, and in the process, they were hit by the Air Force, and I believe it was not intentional. It was one of those things in this kind of situation, sometimes there may be collateral damage and that was what happened in less than three days.”
Regarding his response to the incident, the governor noted, “I set up a powerful delegation led by my deputy governor for on-the-spot assessment and to commiserate with the families of those that lost their lives. In the process, what happened was fully explained, and they quite understood it was not intentional.
Governor Lawal expressed confidence in the military’s capacity to address the menace of banditry in Zamfara, adding that the notorious bandit leader Bello Turji would soon meet his end, just like other high-profile bandits who have been neutralised.
The tragic airstrike, which occurred on January 11, claimed the lives of over 16 residents in the Tungar Kara community in Maradun Local Government Area.
Read Also: 23 years after, Air Force engineers revive moribund DO-228 aircraft
In response to the incident, the Nigerian Air Force deployed a fact-finding team to investigate the tragedy and uncover the circumstances surrounding the operation.
The governor also assured of efforts being made by both the Federal government and Zamfara state to stamp out banditry in the North West region of the country.
According to him, his government has heavily invested on technology, hence, the successes the state had recorded in recent times.
He vowed to continue to do the needful till all residents in the state are free from fear of attacks. ...CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
Be the first to comment