- Former Senator Shehu Sani criticizes Nigerian Army’s airstrike in Tudun Biri, Kaduna, labeling it as severe negligence and not a mistake
- Sani questions contradictory army statements, emphasizing the lack of legal basis for military operations in civilian areas
Former Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central, disputed the characterization of the recent bombing in Tudun Biri village, Kaduna State, as a mistake. Over 90 people lost their lives in the Sunday night airstrikes by the Nigerian Army, initially described as accidental and targeted at bandits.
During an interview, the human rights activist emphasized the gravity of the tragedy, labeling it as a severe act of negligence that the government must address seriously.
Sani contextualized the security challenges in Kaduna, highlighting the prevalence of banditry and terrorist attacks, especially in Southern Kaduna and central parts like Birnin Gwari, Igabi, and Giwa local governments. He criticized the lack of arrests or neutralization of terrorists in previous attacks in the region.
Referring to the Tudun Biri bombing, Sani questioned the contradictory statements from the army, stating that the first response was that it was a mistake, while the second justification claimed they were pursuing bandits or terrorists in the area.
He asserted that there is no legal basis for military operations in civilian areas, even if bandits are present. Sani argued for caution and consideration of potential loss of civilian lives during such operations.
Sani expressed concern about the recurring incidents of bandit and terrorist attacks across the country and the apparent inability of security forces to effectively counter them. He argued that the repetitive killing of civilians is not fundamentally different from the acts of banditry itself.
Highlighting the need for decisive action against known terrorists, Sani criticized the apparent freedom of top-ranking terrorists like Bello Turji, Alero, Balero, and Dogon Gida. He called for targeted measures against these terrorists instead of the military’s unintentional targeting of innocent civilians. Sani concluded by emphasizing the necessity of an unreserved apology from the government for the tragic incident
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