Nigerian senate calls for caution in future military operations

The Nigerian Senate Wednesday advised the nation's military to as much as possible apply caution in its future military exercise.

Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan at plenary in Abuja, Nigeria's capital city raised a point of order over Tuesday's accidental bombing of a civilian community in the state.

Lawan recalled that dozens of people were killed on Tuesday when an air force jet accidentally bombarded the Rann IDPs camp, Kala Balge in Borno.

Ike Ekeremadu, the Deputy Senate President, who presided over the plenary, urged the military not to allow the sad incident dampen their morale from continuing in the good work they were doing.

"We only hope and pray that this will not happen again. We urge the military, especially the air force; to as much as possible ensure that this does not happen again," he said.

"We are also conscious of the effort of our gallant soldiers, especially that which they have been making in the North-East. We believe this was completely unintended," he added.

Meanwhile, Theophilus Danjuma, the Chairman of Presidential Committee on North East Initiative (PCNI) has assured the protection of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), describing the accidental Air Force strike as highly regrettable.

In a statement made available to Xinhua in Lagos, Danjuma said the unfortunate incident which occurred on Tuesday at Rann IDPs camp, Kala Balge in Borno, was not only tragic but a monumental loss to the nation."

The former defense minister emphasized that the protection of IDPs and stabilization of vulnerable people fleeing Boko Haram conflict remain of utmost concern to government.

The chairman also reassured the safeguarding of lives of aid workers bringing relief and medical items to those in camps and host communities.

He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Borno, noting that a thorough investigation will be carried out to avoid similar mishaps in future.

A Nigerian Air Force fighter jet targeting Boko Haram members mistakenly fired shots at IDPs and aid workers on Tuesday at the Rann IDPs camp, Kala Balge in Borno, killing scores of people and injuring some. Endit