The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajia Sadiya Umar, and the former Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar Sadique, have been called to reply to the numerous charges of corruption, violations of human rights, illegal recruitment of youths, and arming of youths in Bauchi State.
The former Air Chief and Minister, according to Corruption Track Network, have two weeks to react to the accusations or be ready to face criticism from the public.
According to CTN, Sadique has been accused of a number of offenses that constitute crimes against humanity and pose a danger to society.
The statement reads partly: “At least seven recorded instances of the NAF hitting the wrong targets between 2014 and late 2020 exist, including the 2017 bombardment of the Rann Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Borno State. The incident claimed the lives of at least 160 victims, many of whom were children.
In Borno in 2020, a fighter jet hit Sakotoku hamlet, killing about 17 people—including children. At least 176 Nigerians have died as a result of these incidents, and hundreds more have been hurt.
“Additionally, there have been instances of NAF bombings in the South-West and South-East, especially among those thought to be Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members. These “accidental” bombings also claimed the lives of ground forces.
CTN also disclosed how the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, revealed how funds in billions of naira meant for the purchase of weapons under the past Service Chiefs, including Sadique, were unaccounted for.
Recall that Sadique may finally be charged with crimes related to alleged extrajudicial killings and violations of human rights.
The former CAS has been implicated in the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, according to the Africa Centre for Human Rights, which claims to have conducted a thorough investigation and accumulated enough evidence.
During Sadique’s more than five-year tenure, soldiers killed Nigerians without cause and in violation of the law.