Humanitarian workers, displaced people killed after Nigerian Air force accidentally bombs civilian community
Nigerian Air Force’s fighter jet accidentally bombed a civilian community in north eastern Nigeria, Borno State, during an operation against the Boko Haram terrorists.
I received with regret news that the Air Force,working to mop up BH insurgents, accidentally bombed a civilian community in Rann,Borno State
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) January 17, 2017
52 people have been reported killed, among them humanitarian aid workers of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and the Medicines Sans Frontiers and civilians who are seeking refuge in the camps after being displaced the Boko Haram insurgents. At least 102 people were injured from the incident as well according to the Doctors without Borders.
“This morning, we received a report about the gathering of Boko Haram terrorists around Kala Balge area of Maiduguri. I coordinated and I directed that the air component of the operation should go and address the problem…. Unfortunately, the strike was conducted but it turned out that other civilians were somewhere around the area and they were affected” Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor disclosed this at a press briefing in Maiduguri
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has sympathized and expressed his regret over the accidental bombing and promised ‘The Federal Government will fully support the Borno State Government in dealing with the situation and attending to the victims.’
The Nigerian Air Force apologized for the attack saying ‘The loss occasioned by this unfortunate incident is deeply regretted.’
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Our deepest sympathy is with families of those killed in tragic incident in Rann, Borno State, Nigeria. Thoughts are with all those injured
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) January 17, 2017
We are profoundly saddened with the news of casualties among the Red Cross staff and volunteers in Ran.
— Nigerian Red Cross Society HQ (@nrcs_ng) January 17, 2017
