The recent killing of the over 100 Muslim faithful in Tudun Biri, Igabi local government area of Kaduna state while they were celebrating the annual Maulud, which is the birthday of the holy Prophet Muhammad SAW is most disheartening and quite unfortunate, to say the least.
However, the Nigerian Army claimed responsibility, saying it was a mistake. This left a lot of people with tongue wagging as to the fact that there is a conspiracy within on the rampant killings by the army. From 2014 to date there have been 15 of such tragic incidents, especially in the northern states of Yobe, Katsina, Nasarawa, Borno, Niger and now Kaduna.
The excuse of the recent one adduced by the army that they are on a routine mission against terrorists does not hold water as not a single terrorist was killed and it is the same with the other similar ones that occurred in the past. If the recent one was done by drone, then it means that there is a conspiracy, because drones are programmed to take an action and usually the camera is clear to see the target. Why did the one in Tudun Biri not indicate that it was a gathering of people celebrating Maulud?
Losing such a large number of people in one single day calls for national mourning. But this didn’t happen because human lives especially in the North are worthless. Even in a war situation, if a warring side could lose this large number of foot soldiers, there must be a mourning period. But nothing of such was done in the case of those who were killed in Tudun Biri.
It’s imperative for the Nigerian Army if there is no conspiracy to adopt a different model of operations in the war against bandits in Kaduna state and the entire North-west as this unwanton killings will not be tolerated any longer. The incidence of mistaken air strikes is assuming a worrisome dimension in the country, especially in the North.
Most of the time, the army would not clear the air until people begin to express concern then they quickly admit what they did by saying accidental as was done in the lastest killings in Tudun Biri.
The whole thing looks like there is a conspiracy within based on what was done previously and now with what happened in Tudun Biri.
The National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu should work round the clock to unravel the truth of the incessant bombing of innocent souls in the name of fighting bandits, kidnappers and insurgents.
The number of people killed in accidental air strikes in the last few years including the recent one that happened on December 3, 2023 is 422. These killings of innocent civilians by the Nigerian Army under whatever guise cannot be justified.
It is therefore imperative for the President Bola Tinubu government to thoroughly investigate the Tudun Biri bombing and anyone found wanting should be punished according to the gravity of his offence in order to dispell the notion that there is a conspiracy within.
This cannot be allowed to continue to happen in a country like Nigeria which is considered as the giant of Africa and at this age of technology. We can’t be blaming this on intelligence failures neither can we continue blaming it on poor equipment.
How can a country’s army be killing the same people it should protect? If there is no conspiracy within then what? While the bandits and other criminals are having a field day, innocent souls are being wasted daily by the security outfits of the country- what a sad situation.
A stitch in time saves nine.
Usman Santuraki,
No 2, Santuraki Close,
Demsawo,
Jimeta, Yola,
Adamawa state
08032333546
