5th December, 2023
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani has described the bombing of villagers in the Tudun Biri area of the state as a horrible and costly mistake.
Sani on Tuesday said the mistake by the Nigerian Army must not be taken lightly.
On Sunday, a military drone bombed a group of villagers celebrating Maulud in Tudun Biri area.
However, Sani said the military must take into cognisance the sanctity of human lives.
Posting on X, the former lawmaker said the widows and families of the deceased should not be abandoned.
According to Sani: “Dropping bombs in a crowd of people in the centre of a village is a horrible and costly ‘mistake’ that must not be taken lightly.
“The sanctity of human lives must be of the highest consideration in any military operation. It makes no sense to massacre the people you want to protect.
“The orphans, Widows and widowers left behind by the Army bombing of the Kaduna village must not be left to suffer in the course of their lives. This tragic incident must not repeat itself.”
Droping bombs in a crowd of people in the center of a village is a horrible and costly ‘mistake’ that must not be taken lightly.The sanctity of human lives must be of highest consideration in any military https://t.co/zpLhj14I8M makes no sense to massacre the people you want to…
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) December 5, 2023
Scores of villagers in Tudun Biri in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State were killed after a bomb was allegedly dropped by a military jet during a Maulud celebration, killing no fewer than 30 residents.
Earlier, the Nigerian Air Force denied responsibility for the attack.
The Kaduna State Government later said the Nigerian Army has claimed responsibility for dropping the bomb on the villagers.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Commodore Edward Gabkwet, NAF has not carried out any operations in Kaduna in the last 24 hours.
However, the Overseeing Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation Whirl Punch, Maj Gen VU Okoro, admitted that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists when the incident happened.
This was contained in a statement released by the commissioner to journalists shortly after the deputy governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe met with Islamic clerics, traditional rulers, heads of security agencies, where “the Nigerian Army explained the circumstances which led to the unfortunate and unintended attack.”