Nigerian Government Apologises For Airstrike Error

Over 50 civilians were killed on January 17, 2017 after a fighter pilot mistook them for Boko Haram terrorists.

 

People in northeastern Nigeria are in mourning mood after tragedy struck on Tuesday, January 17, 2017, resulting in the death of 52 innocent people and the wounding of about 200 others. Thisday newspaper reported yesterday, January 18, 2017 that a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet mistakenly dropped bombs on settlements near the border with Cameroon harbouring Internally-displaced People. The incident happened in Rann, Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.

Helicopters were immediately dispatched to the scene to evacuate the critically wounded. Amongst those killed were workers of the International Committee of Red Cross, ICRC and Medicins Sans Frontiers, MSF. Major General Lucky Irabor, the Theatre Commander of “Operation Lafiya Dole,” told the News Agency of Nigeria that he gave the order for the operation. “We received a report on the gathering of Boko Haram terrorists around Kala Balge. I coordinated and directed that the air component of our operation should go and address the problem. Unfortunately, civilians around the area were affected,’’ Irabor explained.

The Nigerian Air Force described the incident as unfortunate and highly regrettable.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, promised that the public will be kept updated as soon as investigations were concluded. Presid...

Reactions

Commentaires

    List is empty.

Laissez un Commentaire

De la meme catégorie