IDP bombing obvious mistake, Senate

The Senate has described as unfortunate the killing of about 52 persons including three aid workers on Tuesday during an air strike operation by the Nigeria Air Force on an Internally Displaced Persons’ Camp in Rann, Borno State.

Describing the incident as an ‘obvious mistake’, the Senate which observed a minute silent in honour of those who died in the event expressed shock at the development which was brought to the attention of senators at Wednesday’s plenary session through a point of order (43) raised by the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, who urged the Senate on the need to send a condolence to the bereaved families and the Government of Borno State.

In his remark, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session, expressed deep grief and condolences over the erroneous bombing.

Ekweremadu, who sympathised with the victims, their relatives and the government and people of Borno State, called for more help from other States of the federation, well-meaning Nigerians, and both local and international humanitarian organisations to mitigate human suffering and fatality occasioned by the sad incident.

He said: “This is shocking and sad. I am pained by the gory pictures emanating from the scene, but I commend the efforts by the authorities and the armed forces to evacuate and treat the wounded. I also appreciate the support of the humanitarian organisations, notably, the Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) and the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) towards salvaging the lives of the evacuated despite suffering casualties as well”.

While calling for a thorough investigation of the incident, Ekweremadu urged the men of Operation Dole Lafiya, and the Nigerian armed forces not to be demoralised, but to brace up for the challenge of ridding the nation of every trace of terrorists and insurgents.

“This is no doubt a highly demoralising incident, but I urge the men of Operation Lafiya Dole and the Nigerian military to, nevertheless, brace up for the challenge of flushing out the terrorists and insurgents”, Ekweremadu said.

He called on Nigerians to pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of the dead, quick recovery of the wounded, solace for the bereaved, and more courage and divine guidance for the armed forces.