2 weeks Ago By Rapheal
It is heartening to see the Federal Government of Nigeria apologise to the government and people of Sokoto State for the accidental bombing of December 25, 2024, at Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities in the Silame local government area which left 10 persons dead. The accident also destroyed several homes and livestock. Among those killed were little children, as reported.
Vice President Kashim Shettima conveyed the government’s apologia to the people of Sokoto. He said: “On behalf of our gallant officers, I apologise for this great loss. I urge you to continue to give our brave officers the assistance they need in carrying out their operations to ensure a safer country for all of us.
” He also extended “deep sympathies and condolences to the government and people of Sokoto state, particularly families of those who lost their lives in the coordinated joint operation by the air and land components of Operation Fansan Yamma to eliminate Lakurawa terrorist groups at Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities in Silame Local Government Area. “I must say we are sorry and dismayed at the civilian casualties incurred and the excruciating pain that ensues in these extremely difficult times. I call for understanding, especially when it is considered that our gallant men of the Armed Forces were fighting and paying the supreme price to protect the lives of those caught in the crossfire.
“My thoughts and prayers particularly go out to the relatives of those who perished in the tragic event. May Almighty God ease your pain and grant you the courage and patience to bear the loss.” The action of the federal government is a soothing balm on the pain the bombing brought on the governor of Sokoto State, Dr Ahmad Aliyu, who was physically present to commiserate with the people and help heal their pains.
His physical presence, alongside those of Senator Aliyu Wamakko, must mean a lot to the people. The governor’s quick response comes as a positive expression of humanism in leadership. It was remarkable that the governor reached out to the community immediately after the bombing.
Not only did he tour the affected communities, he joined in the funeral prayers for the deceased as well as approved the release of immediate remedial actions that would help the communities. These include the release of different grains for food and cash donations as well as ensuring that the wounded got adequate medical attention. These actions help define the humanism of Governor Aliyu.
He demonstrated the capacity to rise above challenging situations and provide solutions. And, that is what he was elected to do. This is why his leadership of Sokoto state, thus far, has been dotted with actions that provide solutions to situations that the people look up to the state government for answers.
In demonstrating his leadership humanism, Aliyu opens himself up to the people with a mind that is set on listening and responding. This is why he is adept at ensuring that the invasive terrorist sect, the Lakurawa, is routed from the state. Though it was painful that the accidental bombing occurred in the process of giving members of the sext the sort of fire that they deserved, the fact, however, that the accident occurred is evidence that the military was active in the effort to rout the terror sect out of Sokoto.
It, therefore, goes to say that Governor Aliyu’s support to the armed forces in the ‘war’ against terrorists, restores hope for success. It is a success that people of the state look forward to, to enable them to live their lives again and peacefully too. Kudos must also go to the Federal government for the apology to Sokoto state.
At least, the apologia puts to rest the attempt by the Nigerian Air Force to rationalize the accident. This is a positive sign that the government may be coming to terms with the realities of leadership. However, the Silame bombing ought to spur the military to a retreat as a similar bombing occurred about one year ago in Kaduna state.
Perhaps, it is time for the military to return to school and re-learn its strategies in precision bombing. I do not profess any expertise in warfare, conventional and non-conventional. However, exposition to the media has brought many of my likes close to the understanding of precision bombing especially, seeing the same used in the military fisticuffs between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Many people have also seen video clips of precision bombing in the war between Russia and Ukraine and how these have been used to minimize civilian casualties. I guess these would be more desirable by Nigerians in seeing terrorists and bandits routed from residential areas and as such minimize accidental bombings. This is because the regularity of accidental bombing of private residential areas with civilian causalities, as witnessed in Tudun Biri in Kaduna and now, in the Silame area of Sokoto, ought to become an unacceptable norm in the bid to secure Nigerians.
. For now, Gov. Aliyu needs all the support he can get from the federal government to help cushion the negative impact of the accidental bombing.
So, beyond the apologia, I think that it is proper for the federal government to mobilise resources towards rebuilding the destroyed homes and restoring the victims to a state of life similar to what they had before the devastating bombing. This would also fund the replacement of livestock that were destroyed in the bombing. This task ought not to be left to the state government alone.
For a governor who has been at his best in responding to the developmental needs of the people, especially insecurity, such an accidental bombing can be a source of discouragement. However, Governor Aliyu Sokoto has demonstratively shown that he is on a mission and cannot be pulled back by challenges; he needs to be supported to lead his people out of this pain and temporary set.
