The Forum of Southern Kaduna Professors has backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and many others over calls for a thorough investigation of the accidental bombing of Tudun Biri village in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
They also applauded the decision of the Federal Government to make Tudun Biri the first beneficiary of the Pullako Initiative in Kaduna State.
In a statement issued by its chairman, Prof. John Gambo Laah, they condemned allegations by some elements accusing the Chief of Defence Staff, General C.G Musa, of “conniving with the Nigerian Army to cause havoc in communities he perceived as against his ethnicity in Kaduna State”.
According to the statement, “It is evidently clear that the bombing of Tudun Biri community was erroneously carried out as troops were on routine mission against terrorists.”
The forum added, “We consider these allegations callous, indecorous and an exhibition of pathological hatred of the CDS on account of his ethnicity and or religion. We do not see this incident as a lack of professionalism on the part of the Nigerian Army, as suggested. While we are tempted to forgive the ignorance of these groups, we are convinced that these accusations are part of a larger conspiracy to discredit the CDS. This is clearly a case of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it.”
The forum commended the sobriety of the Nigerian Army led by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, for accepting responsibility for the unfortunate incident and for confirming that the bombing was a mistake and agreed entirely that in situations as this, mistakes are bound to be made, and this is not the first time that such a mistake has been made.
The statement explained that the group’s experience with General CG Musa is that not only does he have a good mind, but he also uses it well to the benefit of all.
The forum noted that in the struggle against terrorists and bandits, the Nigerian military had recorded significant successes in the past few months to the admiration of Nigerians, saying it must not be tired and must not give up in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
The statement acknowledged the efforts being made by the regime of President Tinubu in securing the lives and properties of Nigerians, and Governor Uba Sani has shown in his speeches, actions and body language a genuine desire to end insecurity in Kaduna State.
