Sokoto Gov’t Donates N20m To Military Airstrike Victims’ Families As Tambuwal Seeks Justice

The Sokoto State government has announced a donation of N20 million to the families of victims who were affected by an accidental military airstrike in Sokoto State on Wednesday. The airstrikes, which targeted Lakurawa Terrorists, mistakenly bombed civilian communities in the state.

The tragic incident occurred on Christmas Day, and political figures in the state, led by Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, visited the affected community in Silame Local Government Area to attend the funeral of the victims and offer condolences.

Governor Aliyu, accompanied by APC leader Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and the Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, attended the burial and joined the community for funeral prayers. The governor expressed his condolences to the community, describing the tragedy as unfortunate, but attributed it to divine destiny.

“The military jets were on a mission to eliminate armed criminal groups terrorizing the state, but mistakenly bombed innocent residents of this community,” Governor Aliyu stated. He also assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the mistake and prevent similar incidents in the future. The governor prayed for the deceased and strength for their families.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Muhammad Bello Sifawa, announced a donation of N20 million and 100 bags of assorted food items to support the affected families. The state government also committed to covering the medical bills of those injured in the airstrikes.

The military airstrikes occurred early in the morning on Christmas Day, with two fighter jets mistakenly dropping bombs in the village. The attack killed 10 villagers and caused significant damage to livestock. The Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, has refuted reports that the military targeted civilian structures, stating that the strikes were aimed at areas associated with the Lakurawa group.

Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal expressed shock over the airstrikes and condemned the tragic incident. In a statement, he extended condolences to the grieving families, emphasizing that the victims were innocent citizens, not involved in criminal activities. He called for a thorough, impartial investigation into the incident and urged the authorities to ensure justice for the victims and their families.