Zamfara: Buhari Govt Expresses Regrets Over Collateral Deaths From Airstrike

The Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government has lamented the unfortunate death of residents in Maru LGA of Zamfara State, following a recent military operation in a community in the area.

Naija News recalls that some residents had lost their lives during the Nigeria Air Force airstrike against bandits in the Maru Local Government Area of the state.

Scores of persons — including several villagers — were reportedly killed during a raid by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). The raid was said to have been targeted at fleeing bandits, who invaded the area.

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State, in a statement released through his Special Adviser, Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, Zailani Bappa, had also expressed sympathy over the incident.

Bappa noted that the Zamfara State Governor is saddened that a number of civilians lost their lives in the airstrike.

Reacting to the incident, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said the federal government regrets the “collateral deaths”.

Speaking after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, he said: “In respect of the unfortunate collateral deaths in Zamfara state, I think 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 will 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 killed.

“The air force regrets it; we regret it. But unfortunately, once in a while, it happens.”