Civilians, soldiers killed as fighter jet misfires, Buhari regrets accidental bombing, Shettima orders hospitals to give emergency response to victims

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep sadness and regret over the accidental bombing of a civilian community in Rann, Borno State, by the Nigerian Air Force engaged in fighting Boko Haram insurgency in the area.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Tuesday, the president condoled with families of the dead.
The president, who expressed sympathy to the Borno State Government, also wished those wounded during the incident divine succour, leading to full recovery.
He pledged the Federal Government help for the state government in attending to “this regrettable operational mistake”.
Buhari, who pleaded for calm, prayed God to grant repose to the souls of the dead.
The Nigeria Army had earlier said that a fighter jet misfired and shot some humanitarian aid workers of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), recording casualties.
The Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor, said the victims were possibly aid workers and civilians.
Irabor said that the accident happened at Kala Balge Area of Borno.
“So far, it is a little bit disturbing; death has occurred. There are casualties; there are deaths and injuries”, Irabor said.
“But on the actual number of casualties, we will get back to you later. I am yet to get the number of casualties of civilians killed, but two soldiers were also affected,’’ he added.
The shots reportedly hit the Medicines Sans Frontiers and some civilians.
“This morning, we received a report about the gathering of Boko Haram terrorists around Kala Balge area of Maiduguri.
“I coordinated and I directed that the air component of the operation should go and address the problem.
“Unfortunately, the strike was conducted but it turned out that other civilians were somewhere around the area and they were affected.’’
He said some humanitarian staff of Medicines Sans Frontiers and some staff of International Committee of Red Cross(ICRC) were also affected.
“We are sending helicopters to evacuate those that were critically wounded, including our wounded soldiers,” Irabor said.
Meanwhile, the Borno State government, on Tuesday, ordered all hospitals and health agency to standby to provide emergency medical response to the victims.
The governor’s spokesman, Isa Gusau, in an email to journalists in Maiduguri, said that Governor Shettima received the news with very deep concern.
Isah said: “Following the unfortunate situation at Rann in Kala-Balge local government area of ‎Borno State, Governor Kashim Shettima has since ordered the State Ministry of Health to set up an emergency with all medical hospitals under the State Government located in Maiduguri. This includes the State Specialist Hospital.
“The governor also ordered that Professor Umaru Shehu Hospital and General Muhammad Shuwa Memorial Hospital, should all be placed on standby in readiness to carry out emergency treatment.
“Governor Shettima received the news with very deep concern while he has channelled his focus on ensuring that all the victims, particularly those with severe injuries are provided urgent medical treatment.
“As at this evening, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent have deployed a helicopter which is on ground at Rann to begin evacuation of victims, starting with those with the most critical health conditions.
“The MSF (Doctors without border) along with officials of the State Government have been first responders.
“Shettima particularly commends the MSF for its rapid response in providing first aide treatment to victims at the scene.
“While Governor Shettima is working to ensure that ‎all victims are evacuated as soon as possible, the State Commissioner of Health has mobilised medical doctors, nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists ‎and other health officials in all hospitals owned by Borno State Government.
Ambulances have also been deployed.
“The medical experts are currently on standby with emergency consumables set for treatment of victims soon as they arrive Maiduguri.
Casualty figures are yet to be ascertained but from information available to the Governor, there are records of deaths with many persons injured.
“The Governor’s heart is with families of all those affected and urges citizens to pray for the repose of the souls of those dead and the speedy recovery of the injured.
“Governor Shettima looks forward to formal communication from the military to ascertain what happened and would brief the press should there be the need to do so.
“For now, all focus should be on the evacuation of victims and the provision of emergency medical services to them with the hope that they quickly recover,” said Gusau.