Northern elders also said the investigation could help discover any systemic flaws, deficiencies in training, or poor practices by the army
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has asked President Bola Tinubu-led administration to probe the Nigerian Army’s ‘accidental’ bombing of Tundun Biri in Kaduna State on Sunday, which led to the killing of several innocent persons and wounded others.
Their position was made known on Tuesday in a statement issued by NEF’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Mallam Abdul-Azeez Suleiman.
According to the forum, the unfortunate bombing is a serious worry for the safety and well-being of people in war zones in the country.
It, however, noted that the Kaduna State Government had risen to the occasion and promised that the victims of the strike would be adequately compensated.
Suleiman said: “Beyond compensation for the victims, a thorough investigation is essential to ensure justice for the affected civilians, prevent future occurrences, and uphold the principles of human rights and international humanitarian law.”
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He went on to say conducting a comprehensive inquiry into the unintentional bombing is critical to averting future accidents.
In his words, the probe could discover any systemic flaws, deficiencies in training, or poor practices that may have contributed to the accident by analyzing the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
The Northern Elders further said the military, armed with this knowledge, may adopt important reforms such as increased coordination, enhanced intelligence collecting, and stricter adherence to rules of engagement.
“These measures will minimize the risk of accidental bombings and protect civilian lives during military operations. An investigation aligns with the principles of human rights and international humanitarian law,” the statement added.