ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has condemned Wednesday’s military airstrike in Sokoto State, which claimed the lives of about 10 civilians and left others injured.
In a post shared on his X handle on Thursday, Atiku expressed outrage over the incident, calling it “devastating” and demanding greater accountability in military operations.
“The devastating airstrike that claimed the lives of nearly a dozen innocent civilians and left many others wounded in the peaceful communities of Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa in Sokoto State is an outrage that must be condemned in the strongest terms,” Atiku wrote.
The Sokoto State government has alleged that the airstrike targeted innocent villagers, while the military insists the operation aimed at members of the Lakurawa terrorist group.
Atiku questioned whether lessons had been learned from the December 2023 airstrike in Tudun Biri, which killed over 80 civilians.
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While acknowledging the need to combat terrorism, he emphasized the importance of precision and accurate intelligence in such operations.
“These strikes must be carried out with unmatched precision and based on irrefutable intelligence,” he said.
“The indiscriminate killing of innocent citizens — our brothers, our sisters, our neighbors — can never be justified. It is not only a failure but a gross violation of humanity itself.
“When those who are meant to be our partners in the fight against terrorism are instead treated as targets, we are sowing the seeds of further division and anger. We must stop this tragic cycle of death”,
Atiku urged for a reevaluation of the approach to military operations, stating, “The only way forward is to learn from the past, to make sure that every life is valued, and to ensure no more families have to mourn the loss of loved ones to senseless violence.
“To the grieving families and the people of Sokoto, my heart goes out to you. May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace.”
In response to the incident, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu visited the affected communities and pledged N20 million in support of the families of the victims.