Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Sokoto State chapter, has called for more support to airstrike victims and an investigation into the incident.
 
In a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday, MURIC Chairman in Sokoto, Mansur Aliyu, disclosed that the group was deeply concerned about the bombing that claimed the lives of, at least, 10 law-abiding citizens and properties.
   
“By way of emphasis, in the provisions of both civil and military laws in Nigeria, it is a criminal offence to kill citizens by mistake. It is alarming that this is not an isolated incident.
 
“While we commend the efforts of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in fighting Lakurawa terrorists and bandits, we condemn, in the strongest terms, the killing of innocent citizens, and demand that those who carried out the bombing be identified and subjected to legal process,” Aliyu said.

He recalled that in 2019, NAF officers killed two innocent citizens in the Mabera area of the Sokoto metropolis, adding that the report of the committee that investigated the murder was neither made public nor communicated to the lawyers of the victims, who fully took part during the sittings of the committee.
 
“We, therefore, demand a serious, sincere and unbiased investigation. The public deserves to know the truth and those responsible must be held accountable for their negligence. An open investigation with a clear timeline, coupled with a guarantee of the report of the outcome, will help restore trust and ensure that justice is served.
 
“Nigerians deserve better and it is time the government took concrete actions to protect its citizens’ rights and lives,” Aliyu said.
 
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that troops had, on December 25, 2024, in a coordinated joint operation by Operation Fassan Yamma, destroyed the Lakurawa terrorist group in their hideouts, resulting in the death of about 10 persons.
 
The operation, which targeted the terrorists’ hideouts in Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities in Silame Local Council of the state, also saw several others injured.