The Concerned Northern Lawyers Forum has expressed strong condemnation over the recent accidental military bombing in Tudun Biri village, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The group, in a news conference held in Kaduna on Saturday, voiced its intent to take legal action against the Federal Government in response to the unfortunate incident.
The forum disputes the Nigerian Army’s assertion that the bombing was a mistake, vehemently contending that it was a deliberate operation targeting innocent civilians in Tudun Biri community. Spokesman Nafi’u Abubakar emphasized the group’s demand for adequate compensation for the victims of the military drone attack.
Calling for an immediate independent investigation into the incident, Abubakar urged the Federal Government to unravel the truth behind the tragedy. Additionally, he called upon the Nigerian Army to reassess its rules of engagement and training procedures to prevent further loss of innocent lives during operations.
The strike on December 3, 2023, claimed over 85 lives, with numerous others sustaining injuries. While the Nigerian Army has issued an apology, assuring that such an incident won’t recur, rights groups, including Amnesty International, have criticized the military’s actions.
President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sani have responded to the tragedy by initiating a probe, underscoring the need for accountability and justice in the face of this national tragedy that has plunged the nation into mourning.