Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed strong condemnation of the recent airstrike in Sokoto State that resulted in the loss of approximately ten lives.
While the Sokoto State government reported that the military airstrike targeted innocent villagers, military officials maintained that the operation aimed at members of the Lakurawa terrorist group.
In a statement shared on his X account, Atiku described the airstrike as “an appalling incident that led to the deaths of nearly a dozen innocent civilians and injured many others in the tranquil communities of Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa. This act must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.”
He questioned whether any lessons had been learned from the Tudun Biri airstrike, which claimed over 80 civilian lives last December.
While recognizing the necessity of targeting terrorists, Atiku emphasized that “such operations must be executed with utmost precision and based on indisputable intelligence.”
His statement continued: “The indiscriminate killing of innocent citizens—our brothers, sisters, and neighbors—can never be justified. This represents not only a failure but a profound violation of our humanity. When those intended to be our allies in the fight against terrorism are instead treated as adversaries, we risk deepening divisions and inciting anger.
“We cannot expect communities to differentiate between those who provide protection and those who inflict harm when they find themselves caught in the crossfire. It is imperative to break this tragic cycle of violence.
“The path forward lies in learning from our past mistakes, valuing every life, and ensuring that no more families endure the pain of losing loved ones to senseless violence. To the bereaved families and the people of Sokoto, my heartfelt condolences are with you. May the souls of the departed find eternal peace.”
