The Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, has offered 20 Million naira in compensation to the families affected by the recent military airstrike in two communities within the Silame Local Government Area of the state which claimed at least 10 lives and left many others injured.
During a visit to the two affected communities; Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa, on Thursday, December 26, Governor Aliyu, accompanied by Senator Aliyu Wamakko and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, sympathized with the victim’s families and the communities at large, while describing the tragic incident as regrettable.
The Governor, who spoke after the funeral prayers for the victims stated that the tragic bombing was a mistake. According to him, the military airstrike was meant to destroy terrorists terrorizing the region.
Aliyu promised residents that a thorough investigation would be launched into the tragic event to help ascertain the cause of the error and avoid future occurrences.
Announcing the ₦20 million donation, Governor Aliyu stated, “The military jets were on their mission to eliminate criminals armed groups terrorizing the state, and mistakenly bombed innocent people of this community.
“We consider this as a mistake because the same military had on several occasions successfully raided so many criminal hideouts in the state,” Aliyu added.
The Secretary to the State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa, announced a donation of ‘100 bags of assorted foodstuffs’ as relief support for the affected families.
The state government also assured that the medical expenses of victims in the hospital would be covered by the government.
It should be recalled that on Wednesday, December 25, an airstrike by a fighter jet that targeted the Lakurawa terrorist group, killed many villagers in the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.