Arewa Youths demand Sacking Of Army Chief over Kaduna bombing

The Arewa Action Group for Good Governance has condemned the bombing of unarmed civilians in Tudun Biri, a community in Igabi local government area of Kaduna State. The group, in a statement signed by Moses Saleh and made available to the press, accused the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, of conniving with the […]

The Arewa Action Group for Good Governance has condemned the bombing of unarmed civilians in Tudun Biri, a community in Igabi local government area of Kaduna State.

The group, in a statement signed by Moses Saleh and made available to the press, accused the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, of conniving with the Nigerian Army to cause havoc.

“There are questions surrounding the attack by the Nigerian Army. It is inexcusable that such a blunder could be done. The Nigerian Army is an infantry regiment, and even with some air components and capabilities, it is still suspect that they could mistake a group of worshipers for terrorists. Where is the place of intelligence gathering?”

“If this wasn’t intentional, we wonder what else because a situation where the Nigerian Army would undertake air operations without the involvement of the Nigerian Airforce is suspect, and the result is what is before us. Hundreds of innocent lives have been lost and hundreds of others with varying degrees of injuries.”

“We have every doubt that the action of the Nigerian Army is a vendetta mission. There are no two ways about it. On the strength, it happened in a community in Kaduna State, where the Chief of Defence Staff hails from. We understand that some intrigues played out regarding his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff.

“If indeed the intent was aimed at terrorists, why was the Nigerian Air Force not involved? These are questions that must have answers. The number of lives wasted because an individual feels entitled to use state power as he deemed necessary is a sad commentary.”

The group asked the Chief of Defence Staff to come out clean and explain the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident.

“Nigerians must be told what happened. Who sanctioned the operation, and who were those who gave the intelligence report that terrorists were gathered in that location? At this point, a professional force like the Nigerian Army can’t afford to make such a costly mistake because we are discussing the security of lives and properties.

“If such an action can occur, it means that Nigerians are facing a double-edged sword from terrorists and the security agencies. Some questions must be answered by the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff. Nigerians must know the truth with regards to what happened in the Tundun Biri community in Kaduna state.

“There is reasonable suspicion to believe that something went wrong. What happened was not an accident, but a well-conceived and executed line of action that achieved its objective. We call for the sack of the Chief of Defence and Army Staff. This is unacceptable. Nigerians must not be at the mercy of the security agencies who are constitutionally mandated to protect lives and properties and preserve the country’s territorial integrity.”

“We are calling on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to take decisive action in the overall interest of Nigerians. We are tempted to believe that scores of such incidences might have occurred in other parts of the country and gone unnoticed.”