GistReel

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has addressed the controversy surrounding recent airstrikes in Sokoto State, attributing the casualties to secondary explosions rather than direct impact from the strikes.

Earlier, the Sokoto State government claimed that airstrikes in the Silame Local Government Area resulted in the deaths of ten villagers and injuries to others.

However, in a statement issued on Friday, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, clarified that the fatalities and injuries were caused by secondary explosions.

On Thursday, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, also weighed in during a visit to Sokoto State. He emphasized that the military had targeted only terrorists and criminals during the airstrike and stated that anyone found in the company of such individuals was considered an accomplice.

The incident occurred on Wednesday when a fighter jet bombed two communities in Silame Local Government Area, reportedly killing at least 10 civilians and injuring several others. While the Sokoto State government claimed that some of the victims were “innocent villagers,” the military maintained that the strikes were directed at criminal elements.

General Musa, speaking to journalists at Giginya Cantonment in Sokoto, reiterated that the airstrike specifically targeted terrorists in the area. He assured that an investigation would be conducted to ascertain the facts and address concerns.

The CDS also suggested that criminals were attempting to manipulate the narrative in the media to misrepresent the military’s operations and actions.