A Nigerian Air Force fighter jet has killed eight people in Buhari community, Yunusari LGA of Yobe State. Several other villagers sustained injuries and currently receiving medical attention at a government health facility in Geidam.
According to a resident of Damaturu, Saleh Ibrahim, the jet shelled the village in the early hours of Wednesday when the villagers were preparing to go to the weekly market in Geidam, a neighboring local government area, 200km from Damaturu.
The resident added, “The villagers were already set to go to the market at Geidam early in the morning when suddenly the jet appeared from nowhere and started shelling the village.
“Instantly, three people died. The sound of gun shots scared the villagers and they ran for safety, but others sustained injuries as a result. Some were attempting to attend to the dead people when they also got hit by bullets from the jet.”
“As of 5pm, the number of dead people is nine, while over 30 people who sustained injuries are receiving treatment at Geidam General Hospital.
“Buhari village is in Yunusari LGA, but Buhari village is closer to Geidam, and the entire Yunusari LGA doesn’t have facilities to attend to the injured victims.”
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has commiserated with families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate air strike on Buhari village in Yunusari LGA of the state.
Read Governor Mai Mala Buni’s full statement on the attack below:
Gov. Buni Mourns Victims of Air Strike, Assures Anvestigation of lncident
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has commiserated with families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate airstrike on Buhari village in Yunusari Local Government Area of the state.
He said although it could have been an accident or mistaken target, but the government will join hands with the security agencies to unravel the root cause of the incident.
Governor Buni directed his special adviser on security affairs to liaise with the Nigerian Air Force and the Multi-National Joint Task Force to look into the unfortunate airstrike.
“Government will work closely with the security forces especially the Nigeria Airforce to establish what actually happened,” Governor Buni assured. “This is very important and necessary for us to guard against future occurance and to safeguard the lives of our people.”
Governor Buni also assured the preparedness of his administration to work with all security forces to ensure the safety of the state.
Meanwhile, the governor has directed government hospitals in Geidam and Damaturu to offer free medical services to those who sustained injuries from the airstrike.
Similarly, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has been directed to provide relief materials to cater for the immediate needs of the families of the deceased persons and other members of the community.
Signed
Mamman Mohammed,
DG, Press and Media Affairs.