The Coordinator of Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMICO) and Chairperson of the Conference of Civil Societies, Adams Otakwu has commended the prompt response of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja to victims of the Kaduna Drone Strike of 3rd December, 2022.
At a Press Conference after a National Round Table organized in Abuja, the group maintained that
“Such an incident that led to the loss of innocent lives and several others wounded in a community with a mix of Muslims and Christians [as noted by the district head of the community, Arc Aminu Idris] can best be described as unfortunate and a loss, not just to Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state or a single faith, but to the country at large. Hence, we commiserate with the immediate community, the state and the entire nation, and urge for restraint on the part of groups and individuals politicizing, regionalizing or religionizing the incident.”
“As the voice and conscience of the masses, we note the promptness with which the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff visited to condole with the community, where the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, on behalf of the Nigerian Army apologized and made provisions for upkeep and medical care of those wounded. This goes to underscore responsibility by the Nigerian Army, and we urge on all Nigerians as well as the international community to extend condolences, benevolences and prayers to the people of Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State at this trying moment, in addition to the responses by the Kaduna State Government, Civil Society, Armed Forces, Ministers of Defence and the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“As watchdog of the society, we caution and call on those stoking needless tensions around the incident to desist forthwith, as we look forward to a thorough and transparent investigation as ordered by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Again, this is not a political, regional or religious issue, and should not be projected or interpreted as such, in the interest of national harmony, peace and security. Thank you and may God bless Nigeria”
Participants at the Round Table observed a minute of silence in honour of those who lost their lives to the drone strike.
