The Federal Government has promised a detailed investigation into the tragic airstrike that claimed 10 lives in Gidan Bisa and Runtuwa villages in Silame Local Government Area, Sokoto State. The announcement came from the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, during a condolence visit to Sokoto’s Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, on Friday.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the governor’s spokesperson, Abubakar Bawa, Matawalle reassured citizens of the government’s commitment to justice and the safety of Nigerians. Addressing the incident, he said, “Mr President (Bola Tinubu) is deeply concerned about this unfortunate incident and asked me to come and convey his condolences.”
Matawalle expressed regret over the airstrike, which was reportedly caused by erroneous information during a military operation targeting the Lakurawa bandits. He emphasized that the Federal Government would strengthen its efforts to counter terrorism and provide necessary support to the affected communities.
Commending Governor Aliyu’s proactive approach to combating insecurity, Matawalle noted that Aliyu was the only state leader to request a military base in Sokoto. He promised continued military support and the provision of essential resources to ensure the region’s safety.
Governor Aliyu called on the military to enhance its intelligence gathering and surveillance systems to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Expressing his grief over the incident, Aliyu assured the public that the state would work closely with federal authorities to uncover the facts behind the airstrike.
