Kaduna Peace Commission Calls For Calm Over Military Bomb Attack On Villagers

The Kaduna State Peace Commission has called for calm over what it called the unfortunate and regrettable incident of a tactical error where the Nigeria Army troops fired a bomb on innocent citizens celebrating Eid al-Maulud on the night of Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Tudun Biri village in Igabi local government area of the State.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Tuesday, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr Saleh B. Momale, averred that: “As we are all aware, in recent years, villages surrounding the affected areas have been repeatedly targeted by armed groups including bandits and insurgents.”

The Commission noted that the Nigerian Armed Forces in conjunction with other sister security agencies have worked tirelessly with the government and the communities to ensure peace and security in the general areas, which has allowed the citizens to live in relative peace.

It, however, said notwithstanding the efforts, the villages have continuously suffered periodic bandits and insurgents’ attacks and that it was under such difficult circumstances that the Nigerian Armed Forces often carry out periodic air interdictions on bandits and insurgents’ targets especially in parts of Igabi and Birnin Gwari Local Government Areas of the State.

“It is heartbreaking and regrettable that one of these interdictions intended to target bandits and insurgents on the night of Sunday 3rd December 2023 affected a celebrating community, in which dozens of citizens including children and women lost their lives, while many others sustained life-threatening injuries.

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“This is a tragedy that creates deep wounds in the minds of Nigerians, especially the surviving members of the victims’families. The Commission is passionately appealing for calm at this trying moment. All citizens are enjoined to provide necessary support and assistance to the affected communities.

“On behalf of the Kaduna State Government, the Kaduna State Peace Commission extends her deepest sympathy to the affected families.There are ongoing efforts by the Government to provide the best medical care to the injured. Citizens are reassured of the unwavering commitment of the Government in taking all necessary

steps and actions to support the affected communities,” the Commission stated.

The EVC disclosed that the State government will continuously update the people of the State and work with the leadership of the affected communities and families in providing counselling, relief and other forms of assistance to ameliorate the pains and sufferings that arose from the tragedy.

Furthermore, he said the Kaduna State Government will engage with the Nigerian Armed Forces to review the circumstances that led to this tactical error, initiate mechanisms for redress and to prevent similar recurrence.