“We need answers, not condolences”, Islamic Scholar Gumi demands explanation of NAF killing of 50 marketers in Borno

Islamic cleric and controversial bandits negotiator, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has demanded explanation from the Nigeria Air Force for the killing of 50 civilians in Jilli village’s weekly market in Borno State in the North Eastern Nigeria.

Reacting to the incident on Sunday, the cleric called for urgent investigation of the airstrike, stating that Nigerians need answers to the tragedy at the Borno-Yobe border and not condolences.

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On his Facebook wall, he posted that the reports of bombing of civilians during the peak trading hours at the market was traumatizing.

He wondered the pattern of bombing and demanded accountability by those involved for the air operation, questioning who authorized and executed the strike that allegedly killed 50 persons who are civilians.

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He asked? “Who are the pilots behind these bomb releases on innocent locals?”.

The cleric contended that such air operation raises suspicion of operational oversight and the protection of civilians during fight against terrorists.

Gumi expressed concerns over repeated pattern of killing civilians in the past, including the Tudun Biri bombing, Nasarawa and Sokoto, describing them as part of a troubling pattern affecting non-combatants.

“Tudun biri, Nasarawa attack on herdsmen trailer, Sokoto attack etc are just the few ones recorded,” he said.

He ruled out defeating terrorism through attack that harm civilians and innocent people.

“Terror cannot be fought with another terror,” he added.

He called on the National Assembly to investigate repeated airstrike involving villages, markets and other civilian locations.

He further stated, “There should be an immediate Senate hearings on these so-called ‘mistakes’ on bombing villages, markets and civilians targets.

Authorities have indicated that the operation was intended to target terrorist elements operating in the area.

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