Vice President Kashim Shettima has apologised and offered his sincere condolences to the families of the victims who were tragically killed in a recent military airstrike in Sokoto State’s Silame Local Government Area.
The Lakurawa insurgent group’s supply facility in the settlements of Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa was the target of the December 25, 2024, airstrike. Unfortunately, some ten individuals were unintentionally killed during the operation.
Vice President Shettima expressed his deepest sympathy in a statement sent by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, characterising the tragedy as an uncommon and terrible event in which innocent civilians were unintentionally caught in the crossfire while attempting to eradicate terrorism in the nation.
He said, “I must say we are sorry and dismayed at the civilian casualties incurred and the excruciating pain that ensues in these extremely difficult times.”
He also offered his condolences to the Sokoto State administration and citizens, especially to the families of those killed in the well-coordinated joint operation of Operation Fansan Yamma’s air and ground components.
Vice President Shettima also urged local populations to show empathy and support, stressing the value of supplying helpful intelligence to help the military continue to target terrorists with accuracy and precision.
“To protect the lives of those caught in the crossfire, the brave members of the Armed Forces are fighting and paying the ultimate price,” he said.
