TheCable

Jam’iyyatu Ansariddeen, an Islamic group, has asked the Nigerian Army to conduct an “impartial and comprehensive” probe into the bombing of a community in Kaduna.

On Sunday, many residents of Tudun Biri in Igabi LGA of Kaduna were killed in air strikes said to be targeted at some bandits.

According to multiple reports, the death toll from the incident was over 80 while scores were left badly injured.

The Nigerian Army has accepted responsibility for the incident, stating that its troops were on a routine mission against terrorists when the “mistake” occurred.

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday in Kaduna, Saiyadi Yahaya, national secretary of the group, said those responsible for the incident must be held accountable, regardless of their position or rank.

Yahaya urged the federal government to establish an efficient compensation mechanism for the families of the victims.

“As the national secretary of Jam’iyyatu Ansariddeen whose members were affected by the tragic killing of innocent civilians in Tudun Biri village, Kaduna state, I stand before you to express our collective grief, demand justice and propose recommendations to prevent future occurrences,” he said.

“We urge the Nigerian Army to promptly initiate an impartial and independent investigation into the incident.

“This investigation should be transparent, with regular updates provided to the affected families and the public.”

Yahaya also called on the military to reassess and reinforce rules of engagement for its personnel, particularly when it comes to the deployment of drones.

“It is essential to improve the training and education of the military personnel regarding human rights and protection of civilian lives,” he added.

“Emphasizing empathy, respect for diversity and cultural sensitivity can help prevent future incidents of this nature.”