Follow Us on Google
- Urges support and prayers for the armed forces
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Anglican Bishop of Wusasa Diocese, Zaria in Kaduna State, Most Rev Buba Ali-Lamido, on Tuesday, expressed deep grief over the accidental bombing by unmanned Army drone at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of the State which claimed several lives.
The Cleric, however, bemoaned an attempt by some religious groups to “mischievously” paint incident as an agenda targeted at Muslims.
According to him, both Muslims and Christians were also killed during the unfortunate incident in which the Nigerian Army had since apologised for the accidental bombing of the village.
Bishop Lamido, in a statement released in Kaduna on Tuesday, warned that any attempt to give the incident a religious colouration, would demoralized the nation’s armed forces in the renewed war against terrorists in the North.
He recalled that a similar incident occurred in 2017 where the Nigerian Air Force accidentally bombed Rann IDP camp in Borno, claiming 250 lives which “didn’t witness this same hysteria that we are witnessing today.”
He said that every live was precious while noting that the death of Christians, Muslims and even of none adherents of both faith, was without doubt painful.
“It is worrisome at attempts by some religious groups to mischievously paint what was an accident as an agenda targeted at Muslims.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Muslims and Christians were killed in the attack,which the Nigerian Army has claimed responsibility and duly apologised for.
“We Northerners must be careful not to demoralise the armed forces in the renewed war against the terrorists, because the war is far from over. We know for a fact that “war is a very human endeavour, and mistakes inevitably will occur
“We are aware of the 2017 multiple bombing of the Rann IDP camp in Borno State, by the Nigerian Airforce which killed over 250 people and we didn’t witness this same hysteria that we are witnessing today.
“I don’t want to conclude that the deafening silence then had to do with the fact that the President and Service Chiefs were all Muslims.
“Every life is precious. The death of Christians, Muslims and even of none adherents of both faith, is without doubt painful.
“But when the outrage is targeted at the President, because he is from the South or Service Chiefs, because of their tribe and faith, we have a duty to condemn these narratives which clearly have nothing to do with the sad loss.
“The lives of the poor must not only be important,when we can use them to further our political agenda.” The statement said.
The clergyman also appealed Northerners, especially politicians eyeing the 2027 general elections to stop politicising the incident he described as “clearly an innocent mistake.”
According to him, “the Nigerian Armed Forces, is a truly national institution that will never target a particular area for attack,because of their religious or ethnic background. The day that happens,will be the end of our dear country.”
