Four days after the Kaduna bombing and attendant sorrow, the Senate Committee on Arm Senate on Thursday presented the Army with awards and accolades.
The commendation was championed by the chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua during a Joint budget defence session comprising both the Red and Green Chambers.
On Sunday, many residents were killed with scores injured after air strikes were launched on the Tundun Biri community, in Southern Kaduna.
The villagers were reportedly celebrating the birth of Holy Prophet Muhammad when the jet dropped the bomb that led to the deaths of many.
The death toll rose to 127 on Wednesday, as scores of injured persons were taken to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna.
The Nigerian Army has accepted responsibility for the incident, stating that its troops were on a routine mission against terrorists when the “mistake” occurred.
Meanwhile, Yar’Adua while presenting the Award to the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, said the commendation was in recognition of the contributions to the Nation’s security.
He said, “This presentation is in recognition of your contributions and service to the country particularly, the security of the Nation.”
The chairman Senate Committee on army also assured the committee will be transparent in the consideration of the 2024 Army budget.
He commended the Army chief for taking responsibility for the unfortunate incident in Kaduna while reiterating that the investigation would get to the root of the matter.
The committee, however, observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased.
Earlier, the Nigerian Army urged the National Assembly to review the Federal Government’s Envelope system of funding the Budget
According to the Chief of Army Staff, “the Envelope system leads to inadequate funding for the Army to perform optimally in line with its constitutional duties.”
Lagbaja also called on the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the Armed Forces Support Trust Fund Bill before the expiration of the 10th National Assembly.
He stressed that “Army and other services of the Nigerian Army forces will benefit from the passage of the bill through improved funding”
Lagbaja further reiterated that, “ the accidental bombing of Tudun Biri in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State on the 3rd of December is a regrettable error” that will not reoccur.”
The Army Chief also presented a budget of N787.2 bn for the 2024 fiscal year with a personal cost of N647.5bn, overhead cost of N31.6bn, and capital expenditure of N107.9bn.
