Shafa’atu Suleiman, Sokoto
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has warn civilians living with suspected criminals to desist from such act or face the consequences of their actions.
He stated this while speaking with newsmen in Sokoto during his visit to the troops of Operation FASAN YANMA at 8 Division Headquarters in Sokoto.
The Army while responding to the allegations of killing civilians in the recent attack in Silame local government on Christmas Day, said the military would investigate such claims but warned that the military will not take any responsibility for anyone harbouring criminals in their midst.
“I want to call on everyone not to harbour any suspected criminals in their midst, be it Lakurawa or Bandits, they should expose them and leave their vicinity.
“The military is not going to take it lightly with any criminals disturbing the peace of the nation, we are dealing with them and we are coming for the rest.
“We have individual that still harbor them and once you do that you are making yourself a legitimate target, will appeal, do not harbor yourself around them, do not live with them to avoid being a legitimate target.
“Please, do not hang yourself around them, do not give them any support in whatever means because once you do that you are making yourself a target
“The incident that happens yesterday was an operations we did, we follow up and we try as much as we can to avoid any mistakes, if there are other mistake that came up in the operation, we will investigate.
“We did our homework, we have the video of everything that happens and we are going to investigate”
While calling on media not to give the bandits or other criminal elements much publicity. He said the country will not allow any foreign base on Nigeria soil, while calling on neighbouring country like Niger, Chad, Benin among others to cooperate with the country in dealing with enemy of peace.
Also while addressing troops of the Operation FASAN YAMMA, during the luncheon, he said, “I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to every one of you for your unwavering dedication and sacrifices in ensuring the safety and security of Nigeria, particularly in your deployment to the Joint Task Force Northwest Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
“Despite the inherent challenges, your daily commitment to duty in the field remains a source of inspiration to us all and further exemplifies the true spirit of patriotism required for defeating the threats to our nation’s peace and stability.2
“The recent deployment of the Special Operations Brigade and some combat enablers to dislodge and eliminate the re-emergence of Lakurawas’ terrorists from their camps in Sokoto and Kebbi states, and the successes so far achieved is a testament to our commitment to resolving and combating all security threats across the theatres of operations.
“Accordingly, and under my leadership, the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to sustain its operational tempo and posture across military deployments both home and abroad”
He further said, “The coming year presents us with an opportunity to make significant progress in overcoming the challenges confronting our nation.
“Together, we must strive to ensure that the Year 2025 is marked by transformative victories in all our operational theatres, particularly in Operation FANSAN YAMMA”
The CDS further assure troops of the necessary support and resources to carry out their tasks effectively. “Your welfare, and that of your families, remains a top priority, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure your needs are met”.
The CDS also visited the military hospital to check on some of the troops receiving treatment at the hospital.
Meanwhile, Sokoto State government has confirmed that no fewer than 10 people lost their lives in the military Airstrike in the state.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor and made available to newsmen in the state on said no fewer than ten people were killed in a military airstrike while pursuing bandits in Gidan Bisa village of Silame Local Government Area in the early hours of today.
The statement said, “According to the Chairman of the area, Abubakar Gitta Rana, the incident occurred at about 6am when two military fighter jets erroneously dropped bombs in the village, leaving 10 villagers and many livestock dead.
“Gov. Ahmed Aliyu, in company of the APC leader in the state, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, defied the difficult terrain of the village and joined other villagers for the funeral prayers for the deceased”
The statement said the Governor while condoling the community described the incident as unfortunate and an act destined to happen by the Almighty Allah.
” 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,”he added
The Governor further said a thorough investigation would be conducted to find out what led to the avoidable mistake, so as to guard against its recurrence.
Governor Aliyu also prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased, and give their families the strength to bear the loss.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa, announced a donation of N20million and 100 bags of assorted food stuffs to the families of the deceased.
He added that the state government will also settle the medical bills of those hospitalized as a result of injuries they sustained from the bombardment.