The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), and Jama’atul Nasiru Islam (JNI) have called for an immediate probe of the ‘inadvertent’ military drone attack that killed over 80 people in Tudun-Biri community, Afaka Ward, near Rigasa, in the Igabi local government area of Kaduna State, on Sunday evening,
In separate press statements, both the three organisations expressed their sadness over the attack, which left many innocent civilians dead as well as several others with serious injuries.
ACF, in a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Prof. Tukur Muhammad Baba, said that the Forum was shocked to learn of the horrific armed drone attack on the group of people on a Maulud procession at Tudun Biri.
The statement declared that the Nigerian Army has since admitted responsibility for the attack, dubbed “inadvertent” by General Officer Commanding (GOC) One Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General VU Okoro, which was said to have occurred when troops were on a routine military mission.
Meanwhile, reacting to the drone attack, the Northern Elders Forum, (NEF), also described the drone attack as unwarranted and something that could have been avoided if the right thing is done.
In a statement issued by its spokesman, Abdul-Azeez, Suleiman, the “Forum (NEF) said it finds the recent “accidental” bombing by the Nigerian military during an operation against bandits in a Kaduna village a matter of serious concern regarding the safety and well-being of civilians in conflict zones.
It said, “The Forum demands a thorough investigation into the incident that occurred at Tudun Biri, a community within the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing scores of innocent civilians.
“By identifying the causes and circumstances surrounding the incident, the investigation can determine whether any negligence or misconduct occurred, holding those responsible accountable. This will provide a sense of closure and compensation to the victims, fostering trust between the military and the civilian population.
Also, the Jama’atul Nasiru Islam, under the guidance of the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, calls for a full investigation into the tragic incident at Tudun Biri.
Also, a statement issued by its Secretary General, Professor Khalid Abubakar, yesterday, disclosed that “it stands in profound consternation and grief over the tragic incident that unfolded at Tudun-Biri village.
“Such a callous and devastating incident is utterly anti-thetical to the principles of peace and unity that we, as a community, strive to uphold at this critical moment of Nigerian nationhood, and the act portends danger, especially to the military-civil relationship”, it stated.
