…Affected senior military officers should step aside -Northern group

From Desmond Mgboh, Kano

A political group in the North, Volunteers for Democracy and Good Governance, has demanded full scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the recent drone attack on Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State.

The group, in a statement signed by Shehu Isa Direba, implored the Presidency, through the Defence Ministry, to direct all the senior officers affected by the action to step aside, in order to pave the way for thorough and unhindered investigation.

The group argued in favour of the launching of a high powered committee, populated with technocrats and persons of impeccable character, including retired military officers.

“A full scale investigation must be carried out immediately to unravel those behind the series of killings and maiming of innocent souls from the same army or security agencies that are mandated to protect the lives of law abiding citizens” the group insisted.

They claimed that over 400 victims have been killed over a period of nine years in similar attacks across the North, adding that if these ‘errors” and atrocities of mishaps were not deliberate, they epitomised serious negligence associated with lack of professionalism. They also demanded the payment of full compensation to the victims, which should include the injured and the members of the deceased families.

The release noted that the Federal Government should immediately ensure the rehabilitation of the area, including coming up with a housing scheme for the affected community. They extended condolences to the immediate families of the deceased, to the Emir of Zazzau and to the people of Kaduna State.