TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the accidental bombing of humanitarian workers and civilians in Borno state as “a regrettable operational mistake”.

He expressed regret at the tragedy, saying the federal government would lend a hand to the Borno state government in attending to it.

Lucky Irabor, theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, had disclosed the incident to journalists in Borno state on Monday.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has received with deep sadness and regret, the accidental bombing of a civilian community in Rann, Borno State, by the Nigerian air force, engaged in the final phase of mopping up insurgents in the north-east,” Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, said in a statement issued on Monday.

“President Buhari condoles with families of the dead, wishes the wounded divine succour, leading to full recovery, and sympathises with the Borno state government.

“The president pledges federal help for the state government in attending to ‘this regrettable operational mistake’, and pleads for calm, even as he prays God to grant repose to the souls of the dead.”

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), one of the humanitarian non-governmental organisations whose workers were killed in the accident, condemned the “large-scale attack” and implored the military to immediately facilitate the evacuation and treatment of survivors.

“This large-scale attack on vulnerable people who have already fled from extreme violence is shocking and unacceptable,” Jean-Clément Cabrol, its director of operations, said.