As Nigerians continue to call for probe of the airstrike that killed scores of civilians in Nasarawa State, the military has stated clearly that it was not involved in the tragic incident. From investigations, I have discovered that the development has snowballed into select ethnic killings in the state spreading across four local government areas.
The explosion in Kwateri, a community between Nasarawa and Benue states , according to Governor Abdullahi Sule, was not carried out by a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft.
Sule, who is the governor of the State, said an unidentified “drone” carried out the attack, killing at least 27 people, herders, who, following an airstrike, were hit as they waited to transport cattle from an area that connects Benue State to Nasarawa State.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) said the explosion happened after the herders went to get 1,250 of their cows impounded by the Benue State livestock guards.
The governor, however dispelled the “rumours” that the attack was orchestrated by the Air Force.
He pointed out that the enquiries revealed that “no Air Force plane flew through the area,” adding that the bombing was done by a drone whose operators were yet to be identified.
“It will be very difficult to arrest anyone at the moment because the whole place at that moment was in total disarray. The rumours earlier were that the Air Force carried out the bombing, but right now, we understand that there was no Air Force plane that flew through the area,” the governor said.
“It was a drone that flew through the area and dropped the bomb. I have spoken with all the security agencies around and all of them claim they do not know anything about it. Nobody is claiming responsibility for the drone bombing.”
Sule said the investigation was still ongoing to ascertain the truth of the situation.
Local sources from the communities told informed me that at least 20 persons have been killed in retaliation to the airstrikes.
Those killed are local farmers in the areas of Doma, Keana, Obi and Awe local government areas, who have been having clashes with herders in the state.
Pictorial evidence obtained, show gory scenes of how the farmers were slaughtered like animals, by assailants who according to the source, acted in a direct retaliation of the airstrike that killed herders in the state.
The secretary general, International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS), Dr. Abdullahi Mohammed Jabi, called on the military to fast track investigations into the air airstrike.
He added that though the military hierarchy has not taken responsibility, it must expedite actions and conclude its investigation, making it known to the public to avert further killings.
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