WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Tuesday after the Nigerian government announced that its military accidentally bombed a camp for internally displaced persons, killing approximately 100 people and injuring others:
“I’m profoundly disturbed by this reportedly mistaken bombing of innocent civilians in Nigeria. I offer my deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and Nigeria as a whole. America’s thoughts and prayers are with that nation in this time of sorrow. Government officials have indicated that they will undertake a full investigation into how this tragedy happened, which I believe is essential. It must be a transparent accounting.
“Boko Haram has been a scourge on the people of northern Nigeria for far too long, precipitating one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. It is imperative that the government’s military operations in pursuit of this depraved terrorist organization be conducted in a way that protects affected populations and respects the rights of all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable.”
###