The Sokoto state government has confirmed the death of not less than 10 civilian lives following a military airstrike that mistakenly targeted Gidan Bisa village in Silame Local Government Area of the state.
The attack, which occurred at 6 a.m. on Christmas Day, was carried out by two military fighter jets, which dropped bombs on the village while aiming at suspected terrorists, according to Abubakar Rana, the chairman of Silame LGA.
The news was shared by Abubakar Bawa, press secretary to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, in a statement released on Wednesday. In the wake of the disaster, Governor Aliyu, joined by APC leader Aliyu Wamakko and the Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, attended the funeral prayers for the victims.
Describing the incident as “unfortunate,” the governor extended his condolences to the grieving community, offering words of comfort to the affected families.
“The military jets were on their mission to eliminate criminal armed groups terrorising the state and mistakenly bombed innocent people of this community.
“We consider this a mistake because the same military had on several occasions successfully raided many criminal hideouts in the state.”
Aliyu prayed for Allah’s forgiveness for the deceased and strength for their grieving families. Muhammad Sifawa, the secretary to the state government, announced a relief package of N20 million and 100 bags of assorted foodstuffs for the families of the victims.
He also reassured the public that the state government would cover the medical expenses of those injured.
Meanwhile, the military has denied reports of civilian casualties resulting from the bombing.
