Federal Government on Wednesday has apologised over the death of about 64 persons reportedly killed in an airstrike by the Nigerian military on Sunday in Mutumji Community, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Reports had it that although some armed militants were killed, locals, including women and children, also died from the air raid meant to chase terrorists who reportedly invaded the town.
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The Nigerian Air Force was responding to distress calls on Saturday and Sunday from locals following armed bandits’ attack on Malele, Ruwan Tofa, and Yan-Awake communities in the area.
According to residents, the strike foiled the attack on the three neighbouring communities, forcing the terrorists to flee into the neighbouring Mutumji community.
Briefing journalists after this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, described the incident as “unfortunate.”
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He added:
In respect of the unfortunate collateral deaths in Zamfara State, the Federal Government regrets this. Fighting insurgency is a very difficult thing. And as much as the air force or the military are careful, once in a while, it does happen. That innocent people actually also suffer. We regret it.
But I think it is the nature of fighting insurgency, and the military are very, very careful, especially the Air Force and the army when trying to contain insurgency not to allow innocent lives to be lost. The Air Force regrets it, we regret it. But unfortunately, once in a while, it happens.
