The Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate for the February 25 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has urged relevant authorities to carry out a comprehensive inquiry into the unintentional bombing of residents in the Tudun Biri town of Kaduna State on Sunday by the Nigerian Army.
In a statement posted on his official X Twitter on Tuesday, the former vice president of Nigeria made the plea while offering his sympathies to the accident victims’ families.
The tragedy happened on Sunday night at around nine o’clock at night, and according to The PUNCH, at least thirty residents died.
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.”
Remember that the Nigerian Air Force had initially denied being responsible for the attack. However, General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army and Force Commander of Operation Whirl Punch, Maj Gen VU Okoro, later acknowledged that the Nigerian Army was engaged in a routine mission against terrorists when the incident occurred in a statement released on Monday by Samuel Aruwan, the Overseeing Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs.
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.”
