Kaduna Bombing… Tinubu, Northern Governors, Others Demand Probe

 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, along with northern governors and other influential figures in Nigeria, has advocated for an investigation into the drone attack on a village in Kaduna that occurred on Sunday.

Expressing sympathy for the victims' families and the people of Kaduna State, President Tinubu, in a statement delivered by his spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale, described the incident in Tundun Biri, Igabi local government area, as "very unfortunate, disturbing, and painful." He conveyed his deep sorrow for the tragic loss of lives and ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the attack.

Tinubu called for calm among the populace while assuring that authorities would diligently look into the mishap. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive medical response for the surviving victims and offered prayers for the souls of those who lost their lives.The president's directive follows a drone attack on a religious gathering in northwest Nigeria, resulting in the tragic death of at least 85 people. The incident, deemed a "mistaken" army drone attack, has prompted President Tinubu to address the series of errors occurring in Nigeria's conflict zones and take necessary actions to investigate and prevent such mishaps

“85 dead bodies have so far been buried while search is still ongoing,” NEMA said in a statement.

At least 66 people were injured, the agency added.

Also, the chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum and governor of Gombe State Inuwa Yahaya has expressed deep sorrow over the accidental bombing of Maulud celebrants by the Nigerian Army in Tudun Biri community.

Inuwa in a statement issued by his media aide Isma’ila Uba Misilli extended the forum’s condolences to the government and people of Kaduna State on “this profoundly distressing time”, describing the loss of innocent lives as a “heartbreaking tragedy.”

He emphasized that while combating banditry and terrorism remains crucial, it should be executed with the utmost professionalism and care to avert such heart-wrenching accidents.

The governor urged a comprehensive and thorough investigation into the unfortunate incident, emphasizing the need for prompt and necessary measures by the authorities. He stressed that addressing the immediate concerns of the victims and the affected community, along with preventing future occurrences, is imperative.

Assuring support and commitment, the governor conveyed the northern governors' dedication to ensuring justice and security in the region for the affected families, the community, and the people of Kaduna State.

In response, the apex northern sociocultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) strongly condemned the "horrific armed drone attack" on a Maulud procession at Tudun Biri community, Afaka Ward, near Rigasa in Igabi local government area of Kaduna State on Sunday evening.

They called for a full investigation into the attack that left over 80 innocent people dead and more than 50 injured and compensation for the victims.

ACF in a statement signed by the national publicity secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, said the forum is “perplexed and deeply disturbed that such an operation could be contemplated and executed in this densely populated area, suggesting an inexcusable, scandalous and plausibly incompetent failure of intelligence.

“It is indeed trite to say that sound intelligence is the fulcrum of military operations, While the army authorities have come out with the usual platitude of ‘investigating’ the matter, there is a need to be more forthcoming on the details, even if to douse the feeling in many quarters that there was an initial attempt to downplay the incident except for the vigilance of some members of the public,” ACF said.

It noted that such incidents of accidental or inadvertent military actions have happened in other communities in the past, with tragic consequences on civilians and demanded that efforts must thus be put in place to avert such avoidable loss of lives (and property).

"Northern communities are already grappling with the challenges of banditry, and now they face the additional concern of falling victim to ill-conceived strategies by those tasked with eradicating the scourge of banditry and terrorism.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has, therefore, called for a comprehensive, impartial, and transparent investigation into the incident. This inquiry should seek to ascertain the exact details of what transpired, identify the individuals involved, determine the extent of lives lost and injuries sustained, and address any professional or operational incompetence. Those found culpable must face severe disciplinary measures, administered transparently.

The ACF emphasizes the necessity of the investigation's full participation by the affected community, ensuring they are not intimidated into silence regarding the grim specifics of their losses. It asserts that the Kaduna State Government's responsibility lies in safeguarding the interests of the victims rather than protecting the Nigerian Army personnel involved in the incident.

The ACF advocates for full compensation to be paid for the deceased, aligning with the current Islamic diya value for individual lives. Those injured should not only receive comprehensive and free medical treatment but also undergo rehabilitation upon full recovery. Furthermore, they should be fully compensated for the losses incurred in their livelihoods and incomes during the journey to complete recovery," the ACF stated.