The MSF, otherwise known as Doctors Without Borders, has said that at least 52 people were killed after a Nigerian fighter jet accidentally dropped a bomb on an internally displaced persons, IDP, camp.
The international organisation, whose officials were present at the Rann camp in Borno State when the incident occurred, said another 102 people were injured from the incident.
The MSF stated these in a statement issued to the media in Borno State.
The Nigerian military, which has owned up to the attack, is yet to provide its casualty figures.
The Borno State government has also said it is waiting for the military to furnish it with full details of what actually transpired in Rann, headquarters of Kala-Balge Local Government Area.
The casualty provided by the MSF puts the death as one of the highest in the state in recent times from a single incident.
The MSF said it is currently providing first aid to the 120 injured persons in Rann.
Jean-Clément Cabrol, MSF’s Director of Operations, said, “This large-scale attack on vulnerable people who have already fled from extreme violence is shocking and unacceptable.”
“The safety of civilians must be respected. We are urgently calling on all parties to ensure the facilitation of medical evacuations by air or road for survivors who are in need of emergency care.”
MSF first started working in Nigeria in 1971, and is one of the few organisations still able to operate in hard-to-reach areas of the country.
The Theatre Commander of Nigerian forces in Borno, Lucky Irabor, a major general, confirmed that he authorised the bombing.
“This morning today, we received reports about gathering of Boko Haram terrorists somewhere in Kala Balge Local Government area of Borno State. 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.
If this people are proble to the government because of their status in the society why won't this dreaded government just live them to their ffaith. Naf should have let boko haram do the job not doing it them selves it shows how nigerian army is so not trust worthy shame on the foolish fool that do this act shame on apc and shame on Buhari u all will die some day just imagin that tthis will be the memory of you that we are going to hhave. The last time Abacha daughter was complaining that is not her fault so will your children and your children children will be on this land till the day Jesus come .
ReplyDeleteYou just sound like someone who has psychological issue. This was an accident, which could happen anywhere and anytime. Why must we politicise every little this like this? Or is it just because of the sheer hatred your likes have for Buhari? Am sure you don't know that even your bible admonished us to respect constituted authorities. Please be objective for once.
DeleteGreatest Accidental Discharge in Nigerian History. The old record has been broken by...�� May their souls RIP
DeleteAnonymous at 7:55am,its a pity u are among a few Nigerians that don't think objectively.you call the death of 52civilians by an army air strike just an accident.do u realize these people are being trained to do this job and that includes intelligent reporting and not killing civilians unnecessary.There is actually no excuse for such an accident, someone has to be held responsible
DeleteMistake in this modern age with so much spent on high-tech millitary equipment? And nobody has resigned? And nobody has been sacked? The millitary authority should be made to face the music so that next time they will be more precise. In Nigeria we let go of everything so easily and that's why wrongs continued in the land. In civilized countries, if a patient dies in hospitals, the doctor is first probed for negligence. But in Nigeria, we say bakomi. Let there be komi henceforth pls.
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