FG announces move to probe Sokoto accidental bombing
The Federal Government has announced plans for a thorough investigation into Wednesday’s accidental bombing that claimed ten lives in the Gidan Bisa and Runtuwa villages of Silame Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
This was revealed in a statement by Ahmad Aliyu, Press Secretary to the Sokoto State Governor, following a condolence visit by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to Governor Ahmed Aliyu.
Describing the incident as “very unfortunate,” Matawalle assured that a comprehensive probe would uncover the circumstances surrounding the bombing. “Mr. President is worried by the unfortunate incident and he asked me to come and condole you over what happened,” he said.
The minister acknowledged that military airstrikes occasionally hit unintended targets due to flawed intelligence, emphasizing the need for accuracy in such operations. He noted that security reports indicated the area was a stronghold of the Lakurawa bandits, which may have influenced the operation.
In response, Governor Aliyu urged the military to enhance its surveillance and intelligence-gathering to prevent future errors. While commending the military and security agencies for their ongoing efforts to secure the state, he expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his concern and swift response to the incident.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) attributed the casualties to a “secondary explosion” caused by the strikes, which killed “about ten persons.” The investigation aims to provide clarity and ensure accountability in the matter.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said the deaths and injuries were due to “secondary explosions.”
“Now, I spoke about secondary explosions. Because one of the targets was a logistic base of the terrorists in the community. When I talk of a logistics base, I’m talking of armed caches and poles that were kept there,” he said during a briefing at the DHQ in Abuja on Friday.
“So, naturally, when the munition hits, there will be a secondary explosion arising from that which will generate other things flying in the air which was what led to the death of about 10 persons that was reported. The 10 persons reported were not hit directly by the air strikes.
“The people who were hit directly by the air strikes were the Lakurawa terrorist groups, and they were burned beyond recognition.”
“To make sure that those that we saw at that location were indeed terrorists – the Lakurawa terrorist group. And we did that by sending human intelligence to confirm and they got back to us and confirmed and it was thereafter that we carried out – a joint operation, a combined synchronized operation with the Air Force and ground forces,” he said.
“Air Force carried out precision strikes using precision munitions. After the strikes, the land component on the ground moved on the site, and what did they confirm? They confirmed that ‘Yes, the strikes hit the objective.’ That is that.”
