Federal Government has said it will conduct a thorough investigation into the accidental bombing that killed 10 people in Gidan Bisa and Runtuwa villages of Silame Local Government Area, Sokoto state on Wednesday.
Gatekeepers News reports that Minister of State, Defence, Bello Mutawalle gave the indication during a condolence visit to the state Governor, Ahmed Aliyu.
This was revealed in a statement released by Press Secretary to Sokoto state Governor, Abubakar Bawa on Friday, December 27, 2024.
Mutawalle described what happened in the two villages as very unfortunate, and assured that thorough investigations would be conducted to find out what happened, adding that justice would be done on the matter.
He told the Governor, “Mr President is worried by the unfortunate incident and he asked me to come and condole you over what happened.”
The minister added that at the times the military air strikes hit the wrong locations due to the wrong information they may have been given while carrying out operations.
He, however, said that security reports had confirmed that the area where the incident happened was being dominated by the Lakurawa bandits.
He lamented the way and manner Nigeria has been placed on red alert for terrorism and reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to make the country safe.
The Minister extolled the commitment of Governor Aliyu on the fight against banditry and other criminal activities in the state.
Mutawalle said Aliyi was the only Governor who willingly requested a military base in his state, and reassured him of military’s support to make Sokoto state safe.
He assured, “We would continue to provide all the necessary equipment and gadgets to Sokoto state.”
The Minister also made a personal donation of N10 million to the families of those killed and those receiving treatment at the hospital as a result of the injuries they sustained in sequel to the obnoxious bombings.
Responding, Gov. Aliyu called on the military to improve on their information gathering and surveillance to avoid hitting the wrong targets.
He also commended the military and other security agencies for their commitment to making the state safe.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for the concern he had shown over the accidental bombing of the two villages in the state and supporting the state in its fight against banditry.
The Governor also described the accidental bombing of the innocent souls as something destined to happen and prayed to Almighty Allah to prevent its recurrence.
