“Accidental Airstrike”: Nigerians react to deadly Rann “mistake”
Nigeria Air Force said it mistakenly launched an airstrike on a civilian community in Rann, Borno State. The military unit thought the victims were Boko Haram terrorists.
Reports say as many as 64 people were killed with about 120 injured. Other reports put the death toll at over 100.
Two soldiers, humanitarian workers and many civilians were killed in the airstrike.
Here’s Buhari’s statement on the tragedy:
“I received with regret news that the Air Force, working to mop up Boko Haram insurgents, accidentally bombed a civilian community in Rann, Borno State.
“I sympathize with the families of the dead, and with the injured, and the Government and people of Borno State.
“The Federal Government will fully support the Borno State Government in dealing with the situation and attending to the victims.”
Nigerians are reacting…
What happened in Rann may have been an accident. But the fact is people died, and heads must roll.
— OGBENI K MAFE (@TheRealKufre85) January 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/ChukwukaJerri/status/821455617869172741
May the souls of the dead get eternal rest and the injured speedy recovery. #Rann
— Jude (@AgbaJude) January 17, 2017
what a sad day…..condolences to the people of #rann…… their homes were devastated by BH only to be crushed again by a careless NAF
— Uchechuku (@_DrScope) January 17, 2017
