- Calls for full investigation, compensation, resettlement for the dead, survivors
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed shock and fury over inadvertent killing of over 70 villagers by Army drone at Tudun Biri community, Afaka Ward during a Maulud procession penultimate Sunday in Igabi local government area of Kaduna State.
A statement on Tuesday by the National Publicity Secretary of ACF Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba called for full investigations into the bloody incident.
The Forum also called for compensation and resettlement of the dead ones and the survivors.
ACF said the reaction of the Army authority was an inexcusable, scandalous and plausibly incompetent failure of intelligence by the military.
“The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is shocked to learn of the horrific armed drone attack on a group of people on a Maulud procession at Tudun Biri community, Afaka Ward, near Rigasa, in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, in the evening of Sunday, December 3, 2023.
“The Nigerian Army has since admitted responsibility for the attack, dubbed “inadvertent” by General Officer Commanding (GOC) of One Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General VU Okoro, said to have occurred when troops were on a routine military mission.The Army authorities remain mute about casualty figures, even if tentative.
“However, from what can be discerned from various reports, as many as 80 (and possibly more) people, mostly children and women, were killed with scores injured. Further details are still being awaited. ACF 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 commends the Kaduna State Government for its quick response to the situation and coming to the aid of the injured. However, this is plainly not enough. Therefore, further action must be taken, involving at the very least the following: A full, through, honest and open investigation of the incident, to establish what exactly happened, who was involved and how, the number of lives lost and injured; etc. Any and all those found guilty of professional or operational incompetence must be severely disciplined, and transparently so.
“The investigation must be undertaken with the full participation of the people of the affected community (who must not be intimidated into keeping quiet on the gory details of their losses). For emphasis, the Kaduna State Government has a duty to act to protect the interest of the victims and not the Nigerian Army personnel that perpetrated the incident. Full compensation must be paid for the dead in accordance with current Islamic diya value for individual lives.
“The injured must not only be fully treated free of charge but must also be rehabilitated on full recovery, as well as fully compensated for losses of livelihoods and incomes while on the road to full recovery. To restore confidence of the people, the Nigerian Army, must apologise to the people of the communities affected by the incident. Additionally, as a sign of good faith, the Nigerian Army should immediately undertake medical and other community rehabilitation outreach in the affected communities.
“The Chief of Defence Staff should order all elements of the military to evolve a sound strategy to avoid the experience of mishaps such as had occurred at Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The tragedy ought not to and should never have happened. No community, anywhere in the country, should ever have to suffer such horrific and tragic incidents.
“ACF deeply mourns and hereby condoles all families of the dead. We pray that God Almighty grants the dead peace. ACF also prays for quick and full recovery for those injured. ACF notes that such incidents of accidental or inadvertent military actions have happened in other communities in the past, with tragic consequences on civilians.
“Efforts must thus be put in place to avert such avoidable loss of lives (and property). Communities in the northern states have enough problems with banditry to have to again worry about becoming hapless victims of the misbegotten strategies of those who should be helping to totally wipe out the scourge of banditry and terrorism,” the statement said.