NAF Aircraft.
The Arewa Consultative Forum, a pan-Northern socio-political organization, and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam are urging a thorough investigation into the military bombing of Tudun Biri villagers in Kaduna State during their Maulud celebration on Sunday.
The Kaduna State Government revealed that the Nigerian Army took responsibility for the bomb that resulted in the death of at least 85 villagers on Sunday. Earlier, the Nigerian Air Force had denied any involvement in the attack.
As per a statement from the Director of Public Relations and Information at the Nigerian Air Force, Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the NAF clarified that it had not conducted any operations in Kaduna in the past 24 hours.
In response to the attack, the Arewa Consultative Forum expressed its distress, describing the incident as “horrific.” The northern organization was deeply troubled that such an operation could happen in a densely populated area, suggesting a serious failure of intelligence.
The forum, through a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammed-Baba in Kaduna, extended condolences to the state government and the families of the victims. They prayed for peace for the deceased and emphasized the need to prevent such “avoidable” loss of lives and property in the future. The ACF highlighted that northern communities are already dealing with banditry and should not face additional suffering.
As a result, the Arewa Consultative Forum has asked the Nigerian Army for an apology. They also want a complete, honest, and open investigation to find out exactly what happened.
The ACF says that anyone found responsible for professional or operational mistakes should be seriously punished, and this process should be clear and open.
They emphasized that the investigation should include the people from the affected community, and they should not be pressured to stay silent about the painful details of their losses.
The ACF added that the Kaduna State Government needs to focus on protecting the interests of the victims rather than supporting the Nigerian Army personnel involved in the incident.
“Full compensation must be paid for the dead in accordance with current Islamic diya value for individual lives.
“The injured must not only be fully treated free of charge but must also be rehabilitated on full recovery, as well as fully compensated for losses of livelihoods and incomes while on the road to full recovery,” the statement added.
The JNI shared that they heard about the incident briefly and expressed their sympathy for the families and loved ones of the victims. They are also praying for a quick recovery for those who got hurt in the attack.
In a message from the Secretary General of the JNI, Khalid Abubakar-Aliyu, in Kaduna on Tuesday, the organization emphasized its dedication to pursuing justice for the families of the victims.
The statement mentioned, “The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), representing the collective voice of the Ummah, stands in profound consternation and grief over the tragic incident that unfolded at Tudun-Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state, during a Maulud celebration, as was reported.
“It is thus with heavy hearts that we express our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families, as well as the loved ones of the deceased victims, and we fervently pray for the swift recovery and healing of those injured.
“JNI therefore vehemently condemns this tragic incident in its entirety and calls for a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the devastating and most unfortunate event.
“We urge authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the subsisting laws.
“We also call on the Federal Government of Nigeria through its relevant MDAs, to as a matter of urgency take up the medicals of all the affected victims and pay the due ransom of all the deceased.
“This call has become inevitable considering that similar episodes have occurred in the recent past in Yobe, Zamfara, Borno and other places.
“In conclusion, JNI reiterates its unwavering commitment to pursuing justice and ensuring that such heartbreaking incidents do not recur. We urge everyone to exercise restraint and patience as we await the outcome of investigations on the matter.”