Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu has visited two communities affected by a tragic military airstrike that claimed at least 10 lives and injured several others on Wednesday morning.
Braving challenging terrain, Governor Aliyu joined residents in funeral prayers for the victims and announced a ₦20 million donation to support the affected families. He was accompanied by Senator Aliyu Wamakko, a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in the state, and Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi.
Describing the incident as deeply regrettable, the governor expressed profound sympathy for the grieving community. He explained that the airstrike, aimed at targeting armed groups terrorizing the state, had mistakenly hit innocent civilians.
Governor’s Statement
“The military jets were on their mission to eliminate criminal armed groups terrorizing the state and mistakenly bombed innocent people of this community,” Aliyu said.
He emphasized that this was an unintentional mistake, noting that the military had successfully raided many criminal hideouts in the past. The governor assured residents that a thorough investigation would be conducted to uncover the cause of the error and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Support for the Affected Families
In addition to the monetary donation, Muhammad Bello Sifawa, the Secretary to the State Government, announced the provision of 100 bags of assorted foodstuffs to assist the grieving families.
The state government also pledged to cover all medical expenses for those injured in the airstrike.
Governor’s Prayers and Commitment
Governor Aliyu prayed for the deceased, asking Almighty Allah to forgive them and grant their families strength during this difficult time. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the victims and ensuring their welfare.
The tragic incident has sparked calls for improved measures to prevent civilian casualties during military operations in the state.