Kaduna drone mishap: Senators donate December salaries to victims
…Kaduna Gov further demands State Police
…Says security agencies not working on same page
As concerns grow over how to console and compensate the victims of the military drone mishap in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of the Kaduna State, the entire 109 Senators of the 10th Senate have opted to donate their December salaries, amounting to about N109 million to the victims.
The decision was announced on Sunday by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin at the Kaduna Government House when he led a high-powered delegation of the Senate to the State.
The Senators were received by the State Governor, Senator Uba Sani.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau said that the money would be sent to the State Governor for onward delivery to the victims.
The Governor thanked the senators for the donation of their December Salaries.
The Senate delegation had in attendance the Senate leader, Senator Micheal Opayemi Bamidele; the Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume; Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro; Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Kamorudeen Olarere; Senator Abdulhamid Malam-Madori; Senator Aliyu Ikra Bilbis; Senator Ibrahim Bomoi; Senator Ibrahim Lamido; Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua; Senator Victor Umeh; Senator Muntari Dandutse; Senator Lawal Usman; and Senator Emmanuel Udende.
The lawmakers also paid a visit to the Barau Dikko Hospital to visit the victims.
Receiving the Senators, Governor Sani alleged that the security agencies in Nigeria were not working on the same page.
He called on the Senate to help ensure that the survivors of Tudun-Biri community who lost their relatives during the attack get justice.
The Governor was responding to remarks by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin who represented Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on a condolence visit to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House Kaduna on Sunday.
Governor Uba Sani who assured that the Kaduna State Government would continue to support the Security agencies in the discharge of their constitutional duties, sought for a speedy investigation into the attack by the Army, with a view to bringing culprits to book and putting an end to such errors in the future in any part of the country.
He also revisited his earlier calls for a State Police, which according to him would complement the existing security arrangement.
Recall an accidental bombing of Tudun Biri village in Igabi local Government Area, (LGA) Kaduna state by the Nigerian Army, had attracted major concerns. The ugly development causing much controversy.
Undisclosed scores of persons have been confirmed dead with dozens injured, following the bombardment which has been described as accidental and erroneous. While the Nigerian Air Force denied its involvement, later confirmation from official sources established the fact of the event. The Nigerian Army later owned up responsibility.
Among other criticisms, the United Nations had deplored the incident. The UN human rights office said it deplored the attack, noting that it was the latest of at least four airstrikes that have resulted in significant civilian fatalities since 2017.
“While we note that the authorities have termed the civilian deaths as accidental, we call on them to take all feasible steps in future to ensure civilians and civilian infrastructure are protected,” said UN Human Rights Office spokesperson, Seif Magango said in a statement.
The UN added that, “We are particularly alarmed by reports that the strike was based on the ‘pattern of activities’ of those at the scene which was wrongly analysed and misinterpreted. There are serious concerns as to whether so-called ‘pattern of life’ strikes sufficiently comply with international law.
“We urge the Nigerian authorities to thoroughly and impartially investigate all alleged violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, including deaths and injuries from air force strikes, and hold those found responsible to account.
“The government should also provide victims of any unlawful strikes and their families with adequate reparations.”
