The Federal Government has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure justice for the victims of Wednesday’s tragic aerial bombardment, which resulted in the deaths of 10 people in Gidan Bisa and Runtuwa villages in the Silame Local Government Area.
This assurance was given by the Minister of State for Defence, His Excellency Bello Mutawalle, during a condolence visit to Governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Government House in Sokoto. The minister described the incident as “very unfortunate” and emphasized that a full investigation would be carried out to determine the cause of the attack, with justice to be served.
“Mr. President is deeply concerned about this tragic incident, and he has asked me to come and convey his condolences,” Mutawalle stated. He also noted that military airstrikes sometimes hit unintended targets due to incorrect information provided during operations. He added that security reports had indicated the area affected by the bombing was under the control of the Lakurawa bandits.
The minister expressed concern over Nigeria’s current security challenges, including the heightened alert for terrorism, and reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of the country. He also praised Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his unwavering dedication to combating banditry and other criminal activities in the state.
Mutawalle further highlighted that Governor Aliyu was the first state leader to voluntarily request the establishment of a military base in his state. He reassured the governor of the military’s continued support in securing Sokoto State.
In a gesture of solidarity, the Minister of State for Defence made a personal donation of N10 million to the families of the victims and to those receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the bombing.
Governor Aliyu, in his response, urged the military to improve its information-gathering and surveillance capabilities to prevent similar incidents in the future. He also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the military and other security agencies in making Sokoto safer.
The governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for his concern and support regarding the accidental bombing, and he acknowledged the federal government’s ongoing assistance in the fight against banditry.
Describing the bombing as a tragic event that was perhaps destined to occur, Governor Aliyu prayed to Almighty Allah to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.
