The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has defended the recent airstrikes in Sokoto State, asserting that the operation targeted members of the Lakurawa terrorist group. The strikes, which took place in Silame Local Government Area, reportedly killed at least 10 people and injured several others.
While the Sokoto State Government claimed that those killed were innocent villagers, General Musa maintained during a visit to the state on Thursday that the individuals were linked to criminal activities.
“We followed up and ensured we avoided mistakes as much as possible,” he said at the Giginya Cantonment in Sokoto. “From what we have seen, there were criminals in that place. Anybody that associated with them was part of them.”
The CDS expressed regret over any civilian casualties and assured the public that an investigation would be conducted to ascertain the facts. He emphasized the military’s commitment to avoiding harm to civilians but warned communities against harboring terrorists.
“Our appeal is, please do not allow them to hang around you or give them support,” he said. “If you are not with them, leave their area so we can deal with them decisively.”
Despite the controversy, General Musa reaffirmed that the military would not relent in its operations against criminal elements, urging the media to avoid amplifying narratives from terrorist groups.
The strikes highlight the complexities of counterterrorism efforts in the region, with the military striving to balance aggressive action against insurgents with the need to protect civilian lives.
