Many people were killed and over 100 injured at the
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) yesterday when a military fighter jet
mistakenly opened fire on a camp in Rann village, Kala Balge local government
area of Borno State.
Also among the casualties are aid workers of the Red Cross
and Medecin Sans Frontiers (MSF), otherwise called Doctors without Borders.
The airstrike had been targeted at some elements of the Boko
Haram sect who were said to be gathering around Kala Balge general area of the
While the government authorities are yet to release the casualty figure from
the incident.
Confirming the incident at a news conference held at the
Theatre Command Headquarters of ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’, the theatre commander,
Major General Lucky Irabor said that, upon receiving an intelligence report
that some Boko Haram elements were regrouping in Kala Balge local government
area of Borno State, he quickly ordered men of the Air Force to go and tackle
the problem.
He expressed regret that in the strike conducted in the area,
locals and other civilians were killed alongside remnants of insurgents who
were regrouping.
Kala Balge is to the east of Borno, about 180 kilometres
drive from Maiduguri, the state capital. President Muhammadu Buhari and
Governor Kashim Shettima have both shown regret over the sad incident and urged
medical personnel to treat the injured ones immediately.
Also the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Yakubu Dogara, also expressed sadness over the incident. In a statement,
extended his heartfelt condolence to the families of the victims and prayed God
to comfort them. He also prayed for quick recovery for the injured. The Speaker
further urged the military to investigate the incident so as to prevent future
occurrence.
By: Pupwaya Timothy Dibal
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