Defence HQ insists civilians not killed by airstrikes but by second explosion
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Defence Headquarters has clarified that the death of 10 civilians in Gidan Bisa and Gidan Ruutuwa in Silame Council of Sokoto on Wednesday was part of collateral damage of secondary explosion, not by direct military airstrikes.
Defence Media Operations Director, Edward Buba, a Major General, gave the clarification at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, saying troops had on December 25 decided, in a coordinated joint operation conducted between the Air Component and the Land Component of Operation Fassan Yamma, to destroy Lakurawa terrorist hideouts in the area.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, had previously defended his troops in their latest incursion into terrorist enclaves, saying the airstrikes against the Lakurawa jihadists were “precise” and “justified”, despite civilian casualties.
Ten people were reportedly killed and several properties destroyed in the two communities which bore the brunt of bombs dropped by military jets reportedly pursuing terrorists in Silame Council.
Musa warned villagers against harbouring terrorists under whatever guise, insisting that jihadists do not mean well for Nigeria and must not be allowed to destabilise it
Prior to the operation, Buba clarified in his press briefing, intelligence confirmed terrorist activities in the area through surveillance recognisance conducted for an extended period of time.
Pre-operational intelligence surveillance also confirmed terrorist activities in the general area, he added.
“Thereafter, human intelligence were deployed and their reports corroborated the intelligence surveillance and recognition findings, emphasising the strategic importance of neutralising the location,” Buba explained.
“After confirmation, aircraft were dispatched to conduct precision air strikes on identified hideouts at about 0600 hours from that date.
“The strike was executed with precision-guided munitions to minimise collateral damage.
“The Land Component was tactically deployed at blocking positions around the target location to prevent the escape of the Lakurawa terrorist group, as well as to provide immediate post-strike assessment and follow-up actions.
“Following the air strikes, ground forces confirmed that the hideout was successfully neutralised with minimal damage observed in the surrounding villages.
“The ground forces interacted with the locals in the area and they confirmed the presence of the terrorists in that general area.
“The ground forces also confirmed that the air strikes achieved its primary objective of neutralising the Lakurawa terrorist group’s hideouts.”
Buba insisted that the neutralised Lakurawa terrorist combatants were bombed and burnt beyond recognition because they were hit directly by the strike.
According to him, the military made sure it minimised civilian casualties in the strike, and it was well aware of the presence of the terrorists among the locals.
“In summary, I would say that troops targeted the terrorists and not innocent citizens.
“Every innocent soul lost in the course of our operation is a tragedy and we do sympathise with their loved ones and their families.
“But we must be reminded that our troops are very professional in their actions and are indeed turning the tide against the insurgents and terrorists.”
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