The federal government has expressed regret over civilians killed during the recent military operation in Maru LGA of Zamfara.
It has been reported earlier that airstrikes carried out by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), which were targeted at fleeing bandits who invaded the area, killed several persons including villagers.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed who reacted to the deaths recorded during the airstrikes after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, December 21, expressed regret over the “collateral deaths” while also adding that fighting insurgency is a very difficult task.
He said;
“In respect of the unfortunate collateral deaths in Zamfara state, I think the federal government regrets this.
“Fighting insurgency is a very difficult thing. And as much as the air force or the military are careful, once in a while, it does happen — that innocent people actually also suffer. We will regret it.
“But I think it is the nature of fighting insurgency, and the military are very, very careful, especially the air force and the army when trying to contain insurgency, not to allow innocent lives to be killed.
“The air force regrets it; we regret it. But unfortunately, once in a while, it happens.”