Govt Urged To Investigate Airstrike On Civilian Settlement In Sokoto

A civil society organisation, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) has called on the federal government to investigate the airstrike allegedly carried out by United States forces on a civilian settlement in Jabo community in Sokoto State.

YEAC-Nigeria executive director, Dr  Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt yesterday, said the group was worried about the incident as it raises concerns about potential human rights violations.

The statement called on the United States to work more closely with Nigeria in intelligence gathering for more precise attacks on terrorists hideouts in subsequent operations.

The statement reads in part: “Some targets were allegedly missed in the President Donald Trump ordered US airstrike on December 25, Christmas Day night in northwest Nigeria, with some of the bombs dropped in the Jabo community, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

“Although no casualties have been reported in Jabo community, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) is worried about the incident as it raises concerns about potential human rights violations.

“The maiden airstrike, conducted by the US military in coordination with the Nigerian authorities over the ‘Christian Genocide’ narrative, targeted ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria with reports of bombs landing in civilian settlements now in the mix.

“The Advocacy Centre thus calls on the United States to work more closely with Nigeria in intelligence gathering for more precise attacks on terrorists hideouts in subsequent operations.

“YEAC-Nigeria calls on the Nigerian authorities to investigate the impact of the airstrike on the civilian settlement in Sokoto, carry out an impact assessment on the population, including on the health of the people, and pay adequate compensation to members of the affected Jabo community, including the replacement of any damaged civilian infrastructure or properties.”