Rann death toll may rise to 170 – International aid agency
- The Médecins Sans Frontières has warned that the death toll from the Rann Nigerian air force botched airstrike might rise to 170
- The agency said the death figure is currently at 90
- It also said the victims of the airstrike deserve a transparent account of what happened and the circumstances in which it took place
The Médecins Sans Frontières said the death in Rann might rise to 170
An international aid organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has said that the death toll from the Nigerian air force botched bombing has continued to rise.
MSF said the death toll from the attack is currently at 90 but may continue to rise to 170 following reports from various community leaders.
The agency in a statement said: “At the time of the attack, an aid distribution was taking place. The majority of the victims were women and children."
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“Outside of what MSF teams have witnessed, consistent reports from residents and community leaders say as many as 170 people were killed.”
The international aid organization however said the figure from the incident needed to be confirmed before a fixed figure determined.
MSF general director Bruno Jochum said: “The victims of this horrifying event deserve a transparent account of what happened and the circumstances in which this attack took place. Many of the survivors will need long-term care and support for the future.”
He said: “People had sought safety in what they thought was a protected site – instead they were bombed by those who were meant to safeguard them.”
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Jochum added that the Rann incident clearly illustrates the condition and dire situation of resident in Borno state which has been ravaged by members of Boko Haram terrorists.
“This intense violence has led to the displacement of nearly three million people over the past few years, who are still in urgent need of protection and assistance.
“The population continues to pay the price of a merciless conflict, where the war between Boko Haram and Nigerian military too often disregards the safety of civilians,” he said.
He also said that the people of Borno should be entitled to guarantees of protection and assistance.
Jochium added that all parties involved in the conflict must ensure the safety of civilians.
He also called on the federal and the state government to ensure the protection of its people.
“MSF first started working in Nigeria in 1996, and is one of the few organizations still able to operate in hard-to-reach areas of the country,” he said.
The Nigerian air force had on Tuesday, January 17, mistakenly bombed an internally displaced persons camp in Rann community in Borno state.