The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 election, Peter Obi, and his New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have expressed sadness over the Sunday night bombing by the Nigerian Army that killed dozens at Tundun Biri, Kaduna State, during Maulud celebration.
The Nigerian Army on Tuesday apologised over the “regrettable” accidental bombings with Obi saying in a statement via his official X (former Twitter) handle on Tuesday that the incident is an embarrassment for the Nigerian Army and the country.
Kwankwaso described the “mistaken” airstrikes as another gory episode of security agencies, calling on the relevant authorities to ensure justice is served while urging the government to compensate families of the victims of the bomb attack.
According to Obi: “I read with sadness, the devastating reports of the accidental bombing of Tudun Biri Village in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, by a Nigerian Army craft that mistook the villagers for terrorists.
“The lethal incident left death tolls reported to have risen to 80, with several others injured. While our military continues to fight impressively against insecurity in many parts of the country, they must exercise utmost caution and professionalism to avoid this kind of embarrassment to both the military and the country.
“Any incident that leads to harm or the loss of lives of the innocent people they are meant to protect should be avoided.
“Even though the mishap is one too many, the security agencies should work with reliable human intelligence report on the ground before any offensive attack to avoid innocent casualties, as has been reported in this case.
“Fatal mistakes like this leave indelible trauma on the families who have lost their loved ones to this ugly and unfortunate mishap. I sincerely commiserate with families that lost their loved ones.
“And to the dead, I pray God Almighty to forgive their sins and grant them eternal rest, and quick healing to the injured. We pray that such a mistake leading to a sorrowful outcome, as this, never happens again in our country.
“It is regrettable that the problem of insecurity in our nation has persisted for so long that we are now paying such unintended human costs as collateral damage.”
On his part, Kwankwaso wrote on his X page on Tuesday: “I am saddened by the news of the drone airstrike that killed scores of people and left numerous others with various degrees of injury in the Tudun Biri community of Igabi Local Government.
“This incidence of ‘mistaken’ airstrike, is another gory episode of security agencies leaving unintended harm to the poor masses they should protect in the country.
“The concerned authorities need to approach this with all sincerity and determination to ensuring justice is done, and any future occurrence is avoided,”
“Consequently, I join other well-meaning individuals in calling on the government to adequately compensate the bereaved inhabitants of Tudun Biri for the immense trauma they have endured.”