The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party’s in the February 25, 2023 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has called on concerned authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the accidental bombing of locals in the Tudun Biri community of Kaduna State by the Nigerian Army on Sunday.
The former Vice President of Nigeria made the call while expressing his condolences to the families and victims of the accident in a statement on his official X handle, formally twitter on Tuesday.
Recall that no fewer than 30 residents were killed in the incident which took place around 9 pm on Sunday.
Lamenting the sad incident, Atiku said: “I am grieved by the news of the drone airstrike that killed dozens of people and left scores of others with various degrees of injury in the Tudun Biri community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“Ironically, the victims of this unfortunate incident were celebrating the Maulud anniversary. The incidence of miscalculated air strikes is assuming a worrisome dimension in the country. We need to develop counterinsurgency strategies that will insulate the civilian population from tragic incidents of this nature.
“I call on the authorities to launch a thorough investigation into this tragedy to avert future occurrences”.
While praying for the repose of souls lost in the incident, Atiku called for proper medical attention for survivors and assistance to families of the dead.
He said: “Meanwhile, no resource should be spared in medical attention to the injured and assistance to the families of the dead. I pray that the Almighty Allah comforts the bereaved families and grants the dead eternal peace”.
The Nigerian Air Force had earlier denied responsibility for the attack, but the Overseeing Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, later disclosed in a statement, on Monday, that the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation Whirl Punch, Maj Gen VU Okoro, admitted that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists when the incident happened.
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The statement partly read: “The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major VU Okoro, explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community”.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has also ordered a probe into the bombing of the villagers.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja.
He noted that the president directed a thorough and full-fledged investigation into the incident and called for calm while the authorities looked into the mishap.
Ngelale said Tinubu also directed swift and comprehensive medical attention for surviving victims while praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased.
He added that the president sympathised with the families of the victims, the people, and the government of Kaduna State over the mishap.
“President Tinubu describes the incident as very unfortunate, disturbing, and painful, expressing indignation and grief over the tragic loss of Nigerian lives”, he said.
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