Alhaji Shuaibu Miqati, a former PDP candidate for governor of Kaduna State, has advised prudence in light of the recent mistaken bombing of Tudun Biri village in the Igabi Local Government Area of the State, which resulted in the deaths of over a hundred people.
According to the PUNCH, the Nigerian Army took credit for dropping a bomb on Tudun Biri on penultimate Sunday, killing at least 100 civilians. This information was provided by the Kaduna State Government.
Miqati, a former Dangote Group director of human resources, voiced grave alarm over the incident in a statement on Saturday, pointing out that there seemed to have been some sort of intelligence failure on the side of military operations.
He claims that in light of the recent occurrence in the state, it is important to approach the issue and the difficulties the military faces in general with prudence and composure.
He pointed out that friendly firing do happen in military operations all around the world, and Nigeria was not an exception.
He said, “I received with rude shock the sad news of the accident which occurred in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of our great state, Kaduna.
“Friendly fire does occur in military operations, particularly when and where there may be intelligence failure. This is not peculiar to our society. Although the incidence appears to have some level of carelessness and/or recklessness, human and/or machine errors are known to occur and reoccur often.
“We note with concerns the interventions of governments to conduct a full-scale investigation, which should not and must be limited to the incidence but should include the source of the Drone, ie UAV, the suppliers, the maintenance as well as the operations of the machine.
“We appreciate the level of concern shown by various government agencies, organisations, and functionaries since the unfortunate incident. The promises of assistance to the families of the victims and the survivors are also encouraging and welcomed. However, governments must ensure that the intended assistance is not diverted.
“I wish to commiserate with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Senator Uba Sani, HRH, the Emir of Zazzau, the Chairman of Igabi Local Government Area as well as the entire citizens of Kaduna State, particularly the families of those affected by the unfortunate incidence.
“Now that we are aware of our military’s capabilities to launch such an attack, Nigerian citizens would require a definitive solution or date when bandits would be crushed by our armed forces.”