UPDATE: “More than 100 killed after Nigerian military mistakenly bombed IDPs in Borno”
The Nigerian military has mistakenly bombed at least 100 internally displaced persons (IDP) to death.
A military official told AP Nigerian forces mistakenly dropped a bomb on Rann IDP Camp located in Kala-balge local government area of Borno state.
Reports earlier said military spokesperson Rabe Abubakar, said soldiers were chasing after Boko Haram terrorists when the tragedy occurred.
BREAKING: Nigerian state official: Military jet mistakenly bombs refugee camp, kills more than 100.
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 17, 2017
Abubakar reportedly said soldiers got information that Boko Haram members were lurking in the area and decided to combat the terrorists through air strikes.
It was a grossly miscalculated and regrettable attack, Abubakar reportedly admitted.
Reports say hundreds are injured with fears the death toll may rise.
Hospitals in Maiduguri have been told to receive and promptly treat the injured, while an helicopter belonging to the International Red Cross, ICRC, has also been deployed to the camp to evacuate wounded persons to the various hospitals.
“This morning today, we received reports about gathering of Boko Haram terrorists somewhere in Kala Balge Local Government area of Borno State,” the Theatre Commander of Nigerian forces in Borno, Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor, said at a press conference.
“We got a coordinate and I directed that the air should go to address the problem. Unfortunately the strike was conducted but it turned out that the locals somewhere in Rann were affected.
“We are yet to get the details of the casualties. But we have some civilians that have been killed, others are wounded and we also have two of our soldiers that were also wounded.
“Among some that are wounded are local staffs of the Medicine Sans Frontiers as well as ICRC,” he said.
Residents in Borno have largely been victims of ceaseless Boko Haram attacks since the sect gained notoriety years ago and the camps have only provided succour for displaced persons.
