Taoreed Lagbaja, chief of army staff (COAS), has visited
Tudun Birni in Igabi LGA of Kaduna state to commiserate with members of the
community after military air strike killed score of villagers on Sunday.
According to multiple reports, the death toll from the
bombing was over 80, with scores left badly injured.
The Nigerian Army has claimed responsibility for the
incident, stating that its troops were on a routine mission against terrorists
when the “mistake” occurred.
Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, in a statement on Tuesday, said Lagbaja described the incident as a “very disheartening occurrence.”
“The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed
Lagbaja has paid a condolence visit to Tudun Birni community in Igabi Local
Government Area of Kaduna State,” the statement reads.
“The COAS in an emotion laden speech expressed regrets on
the unfortunate mishap, describing it as a very disheartening occurrence.
The army spokesperson quoted Lagbaja as saying that the
general area of Tudun Birni and adjoining villages were infested in recent time
with armed bandits, who terrorised the communities.
According to Nwachukwu,
the COAS added that the troops started conducting operations after that
discovery to sanitise the area and make it habitable.
He pointed out that the troops were carrying out aeriel
patrols when they observed a group of people and “wrongly analyzed and
misinterpreted their pattern of activities to be similar to that of the
bandits, before the drone strike”. Nwachukwu added.
“The COAS stated that he was in Tudun Birni to personally
witness the site of the mishap and to convey sincere regrets and unreserved
apologies on behalf of the Nigerian Army to the District Head and people of the
community, as well as the Government and entire people of Kaduna State,” he
said.
“He disclosed that he
has ordered a thorough inquiry into the incident to ascertain and identify
areas of deficiency that led to the inadvertent disaster, adding that the
findings and overarching outcome of the investigation will guide the NA in
meticulously and professionally seeking and applying lasting solutions to
identified lapses and deficiencies in both the human and Artificial
Intelligence variables that will forestall future recurrence.”
Nwachukwu added that the army chief visited injured victims
of the incident who are receiving treatment at the Barau Dikko Teaching
Hospital.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com