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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered an investigation into the alleged killing of three villagers and some cattle at Sabon Birni in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State by soldiers.
The soldiers from 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, were alleged to have carried out the killings during a recent operation in the area.
Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said that while the army sympathised with Sabon Birni community and families of the affected persons, the allegation would be thoroughly investigated and any personnel found culpable would be appropriately sanctioned.
Nwachukwu’s statement reads; “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a disturbing news report with gory pictures/video footages published in some mainstream and social media platforms alleging that troops of 1 Division annihilated thee persons and some cattle during a recent operation at Sabon Birni in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“While the Nigerian Army wishes to sympathize with Sabon Birni community and families of the affected persons, we also wish to state that the allegation will be thoroughly investigated and any personnel found culpable will be appropriately sanctioned. It is also necessary to add that the NA, which is constitutionally mandated to protect lives and property of the citizenry, can not tolerate doing otherwise.
“Accordingly, the Chief of Army Staff,Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja has directed a thorough investigation into the incident with a view to establishing the immediate and remote causes of the incident and unraveling those behind it. We therefore, appeal for calm and assure the general public that the outcome of the investigation will also be made public.
