US Air Strikes: NGO calls for caution to mitigate unintended collateral fallouts

As the United States continue to strike the hideouts of terrorists in an effort to end violent armed attacks that have murdered thousands of persons and unleashed untold hardships on Nigerians, the JOSHUA K B DISABILITIES RIGHTS AND SUPPORT INITIATIVES on Thursday called in the federal government and its United States counterpart to put measures in place that would mitigate against unintended casualties from the strikes.

The Disabilities Rights NGO in a passionate appeal signed by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Joshua Kingsley Benneth, also called on the actors to use modern technology to collate needed data that would help stakeholders in bringing supports to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) from the conflict.

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The statement which hailed the military campaigns meant to dislodge terrorists from their strongholds and to restore security across the nation, commended the President Bola Tinubu led administration for swallowing its pride and seeking international help especially given the level of sabotage in the counter terrorism efforts of successive administrations in the country.

According to the Executive Secretary of the NGO, Mr President has demonstrated that leadership entails putting national interest above such parochial interests as the upcoming 2027 general elections.

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“We’re optimistic that this move by President Tinubu would demonstrate to leaders at all levels of government, and even outside public administration that reaching out for outside help where the dynamics of the situation demands so, is indeed pertinent.

“Whilst as a Disabilities Rights organization we support the administration’s alliance with the United States government in riding our dear country of these killers, we are however compelled to call the attention of Nigerians and stakeholders to such collateral damages as creating additional PWDs, or worsening the fate of existing PWDs, either directly or indirectly; through these air strikes.

“Government must therefore put strategic and adequate measures in place to cushion this when it arises.

It is important to point out that any unintended fallouts against citizens will be on the Nigerian side and not on the side of the US whose citizens are not affected by these campaigns impacting the Nigerian soil and airspace,” Mr Benneth maintained.

He also called on Nigerian troops tasked with clearing areas of impact to be professional and conduct themselves within the ambience of international laws and respect for Human Rights.

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