Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has officially addressed the tragic military airstrike in Tungar Kara, Maradun Local Government Area, which resulted in the unfortunate death of 16 residents, including some vigilantes. The governor expressed his deep regret over the incident while confirming that he was aware of the circumstances surrounding the strike.
During an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Governor Lawal explained that his administration had sought military intervention to counter ongoing attacks by bandits in the affected area. He clarified that the airstrike was a response to a distress call made by his government to the Nigerian Air Force regarding bandit activities that threatened the lives and safety of residents.
While acknowledging the unintended consequences of the airstrike, Governor Lawal reiterated his unwavering support for the military’s efforts to combat insecurity in the state. He emphasized the complexity of such operations, pointing out that unfortunate incidents of collateral damage, such as this, can occur despite the best intentions.
The governor expressed heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims and assured them of his administration’s commitment to addressing the incident and supporting those affected. He announced that a powerful delegation, led by his deputy governor, had been dispatched to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the situation. The delegation was tasked with providing the necessary support to the victims’ families while explaining the circumstances of the incident to ensure transparency and understanding.
He said, “We have been battling issues within the last three days as a result of the airstrike. Let me say this, I have full information on what happened that fateful day, because we made the distress call to the Air Force in terms of some bandits attacking communities, and they quickly responded, and they were able to neutralise a lot of bandits.”
Governor Lawal went on to explain that during a subsequent call for assistance, some members of the affected communities, who had mobilized to rescue others under attack, were inadvertently struck by the Air Force. He stressed that this was not an intentional act by the military but rather an unfortunate consequence of the chaotic situation on the ground.
He added, “It was one of those things in this kind of situation. Sometimes there may be collateral damage and that was what happened in less than three days. I set up a powerful delegation led by my deputy governor for on-the-spot assessment and to commiserate with the families of those that lost their lives. In the process, what happened was fully explained, and they quite understood it was not intentional.”
Governor Lawal reassured residents of his administration’s determination to address the security challenges in Zamfara State while fostering a collaborative relationship with the military to minimize future occurrences of such incidents. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the state while supporting the bereaved families during this difficult time.
