Sokoto: The Sokoto State Government on Friday hailed a Nigeria–US joint airstrike that hit terrorist hideouts in Tangaza Local Government Area, stressing that no civilian casualties were recorded and describing the operation as a vital step toward restoring peace and security in the state.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Director General, Media and Publicity to the Sokoto State Government, Malam Abubakar Bawa, issued to the newsmen on Friday in Sokoto.
Bawa confirmed that there was an airstrike carried out by the Nigerian Military and the United States Government in Tangaza LGA without recording any civilian casualties.
According to Bawa, the impact could not be immediately determined as they await the assessment of the joint operations.
Bawa stated that the circumstances of the objects found in a location near Jabo Town, Tambuwal Local Government Area, could not be immediately explained, as the analysis by the Nigerian/US Military Authorities was still pending.
He stressed that no civilian casualties were recorded in Jabo town.
Bawa said, “Sokoto State Government welcomes any collaboration between Nigeria and all the relevant global stakeholders aimed at curbing the menace of terrorism and cross-border crimes in the state.
“The ongoing operations are geared towards securing the State and ensuring the protection of the lives and property of the citizenry.”
The director-general stated that over the past two years, the Sokoto State Government had consistently supported the security agencies in the fight against banditry and terrorism by providing all the necessary equipment to enhance safety across the state.
” The state government, therefore, calls on the residents of the affected areas to continue to cooperate with both the federal and state governments by providing useful information to the security agencies.
”This will assist them to sustain the ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and security, as well as to continue to pray to the Almighty Allah to assist our security agencies to defeat criminals in the state and the country at large, ” Bawa added.