Anyone found culpable in the accidental bombing of villagers on a religious procession in Kaduna will be punished, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu vowed yesterday.
The Federal Government promised to rebuild Tudun Biri village, Afaka ward of Rigasa District in Igabi Local Government Area, where a routine terrorists-targeted air strike by the Army hit civilians on Sunday night.
More eminent groups, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, commiserated with the victims’ families, called for their compensation and said everything must be done to prevent a recurrence.
The military said it would review its strategies but would not be deterred in its mission against terrorists and bandits.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented Tinubu, visited Kaduna to commiserate with the state government and those affected.
Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa and Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja had visited to commiserate with the families of those killed and sympathise with the injured at the hospital.
Shettima visited Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, Kaduna, where he prayed for the recovery of the injured.
He said all the victims would be taken good care of.
Shettima said: “The government will get to the root of the issue and anyone found culpable will be punished accordingly.
“We expect a report with immediate effect on the incident.
“The heart of the President is with the bereaved families.
“Rest assured that the Federal Government stands by the community and the government and people of Kaduna on this unfortunate incident.”
He said the Federal government would launch a programme under the Fulako Initiative, which would commence by next month in the Tudun Biri.
He explained: “The Fulako Initiative is the President’s unique response as a non-kinetic solution to the challenges in the Northwest.
“The beneficiary states are Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna and for the purpose of equity and justice, we included Niger and Benue.
“The President has directed that the Fulako Initiative should be kick-started in Kaduna, and Tudun Biri will be the first beneficiary community.”
According to him, under the initiative, the Federal Government will build houses, clinics, schools, and veterinary hospitals, and implement empowerment initiatives, among others.
“It is going to be a complete package of solutions; non-kinetic responses to the problems of banditry and kidnapping in the Northwest.
“Under the initiative, 500 houses will be built in the northern part of Kaduna and another 500 in the southern part,” Shettima said.
The Vice President added: “I am here because the President is deeply concerned. He was deeply touched by what happened.
“As the late Dele Giwa rightly said, let’s not talk about the numbers; ‘one life taken in cold blood is as gruesome as millions lost in a pogrom’.
“The heart of the President is with the bereaved families.
“As directed by Mr President, an investigation is being conducted to prevent a recurrence and we expect a report to be submitted in the shortest possible time.”
Kaduna Governor Uba Sani thanked the President for sending the high-powered delegation to commiserate with the people and for responding to his call for an immediate investigation into the incident.
“The Federal Government has responded positively and the outcome of the investigation will be made public,” he said.
Sani reassured the injured of proper medical care and support.
“We will also take care of the orphans by giving them support and ensuring that they are properly taken care of,” he said.
Sani confirmed that Tudun Biri would be the first beneficiary of the Fulako initiative, which is under the VP’s office.
“This is because they have lost everything. Houses will be rebuilt. Hospitals, schools and farming facilities will be provided for them,” he said
The governor said the victims would be compensated, adding: “We will also ensure that a similar thing doesn’t happen again.”
One of the community leaders, Magaji Adamu, said after the first strike, the next one occurred 30 minutes before another, leaving scores dead.
Adamu said Christians who joined the Maulud celebration also lost their lives.
Military to review operational strategies
The military said it would review its operational protocols and procedures to avoid accidental strikes but would remain focused on the terror war.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, at a briefing in Abuja, said: “We will continue to conduct our operations in line with international laws as we have always done.
“We will continue to conduct our operations consistent with the rules of engagements.
“As for the incident, I can assure you that the military learns from its experiences and we will continue to make improvements as we go along.
“There would be a need for protocols and processes to be improved upon. These would be put in place to ensure that in the future we have near-zero occurrences.
“To prevent reoccurrence, we will make sure that we get more training, more understanding of the processes and the protocols involved to make sure that when something is seen before an order is given to bomb it, it will be 100 per cent sure.
“But for now, we have encouraged communities to see something and say something.
“Tell us what you are seeing and it will help us to analyse the threats.”
On conspiracy allegations with ethnic and religious connotations, Buba said: “The Nigerian military is very professional and has personnel from different parts of the country.
“Whatever group is coming out and saying whatever calculation that they have imagined, we can tell you that it is faulty, it is in error and it is unpatriotic.
“At this time when we are in a war, it is not just the military that is at war, the whole country is at war.”
Sanwo-Olu, CAN, Ohanaeze in solidarity
More commiserations poured in yesterday.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, described the incident as disheartening and unfortunate.
He wished the people of Kaduna peace, comfort and lots of love at this time of sorrow.
“The death of the civilians…is worrisome and painful. We pray that God would comfort the victims’ families and the entire people of Kaduna State in this time of sorrow.
“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I sympathise with the immediate families of victims of the military drone strike mishap, the government and people of Kaduna State.
“I wish Governor Sani and all the people of Kaduna, particularly the Tudun Biri community and victims’ families, peace, comfort and lots of love at this time of sorrow.
“I want to assure my brother-governor that the good people of Lagos State stand with you in this very difficult time.”
CAN urged the military to get more accurate surveillance technology and intelligence devices to prevent recurrence.
Its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement, said no one should capitalise on the tragedy for personal gain.
He said the focus should remain on supporting the affected communities and working to prevent a recurrence.
Okoh said: “On behalf of the national leadership of CAN, I express our deep condolences to the victims and the Kaduna government following the tragic incident…
“This unfortunate event has resulted in a significant number of casualties, and our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families during this difficult time.
“We recognise that the Nigerian Armed Forces have been continuously combating terrorism within our nation and we commend the Armed Forces for their unwavering commitment to the fight against terror in Nigeria.
“However, it is crucial that restraint is exercised, particularly when intelligence reports are not definitive.
“We appeal to the Armed Forces to prioritise the safety of civilians and ensure that proper precautions and measures are in place to avoid similar incidents in the future.
“To prevent the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents, it is essential that they be equipped with more accurate surveillance technology and intelligent devices.
“These advancements will enhance their ability to differentiate between terrorist threats and innocent civilians, thereby minimizing collateral damage.
“CAN reiterates its unyielding support for the Federal Government in its ongoing war against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.”
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in a statement by National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, said the outcome of the investigation would help the Army to attain more prudent, skillful, professional military-civilian engagements in their operations.
The statement reads: “It is indeed a paradox that at a time Nigerians are facing various challenges and losses of lives in the hands of bandits, kidnappers, Boko-Haram insurgents amongst others, an air mishap by the Nigerian Army will claim about 85 lives.”
“The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, expressed deep sorrow over the avoidable catastrophe.
“The Igbo leader urges President Tinubu to conduct a thorough investigation on the bomb mishap and those found to be negligent should face the full weight of the Law.”
Ohanaeze further called for adequate compensation to the victims’ families.
“We sympathise with the affected families, the government and the good people of Kaduna for this very unfortunate tragedy,” the socio-cultural organisation added.
