The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has attributed the deaths of several villagers in Sokoto to secondary explosions during recent airstrikes.
Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, clarified that the fatalities were not a direct result of the airstrikes. Instead, he explained that secondary explosions caused the casualties in the Silame Local Government Area.
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A few days ago, the Sokoto State government had reported that 10 villagers were killed and several others injured. The incident occurred after airstrikes in the region, which had initially sparked concerns of direct attacks on civilians. However, the DHQ emphasized that these deaths were unintended consequences of secondary explosions, not the airstrikes themselves.
Major General Buba’s statement aimed to clear up confusion surrounding the tragic event. He assured that the airstrikes were targeting militant groups and not civilian areas. Buba further stated that the military would continue to prioritize precision in its operations to avoid harm to innocent lives.
While the DHQ expressed condolences to the affected families, it called for further investigation into the incident. The Sokoto State government had initially raised concerns about the safety of residents during military operations in the region. Authorities are expected to work together to address the situation moving forward.
The military continues its operations in the region as part of ongoing efforts to combat armed groups causing unrest in Sokoto. Despite this, the deaths of villagers have raised questions about the risks of secondary explosions during airstrikes in civilian areas.
