… says drone’s source, maintenance, operations must also be investigated
Chairman of the Institute of Directors Centre for
Corporate Governance (IoDCCG), Alhaji Shuaibu Idris Miqati, has urged the Federal Government to extend its investigation into the recent accidental bombing of residents of Tundun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State by a drone deployed by the Nigerian Army to the source of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, its maintenance and operations.
Idris also challenged the military to give Nigerians a definitive date when the Armed Forces would crush terrorists and bandits now that it has proved that it has the capability to launch drone strikes.
Last Sunday’s Nigerian Army accidental drone strike killed over 100 villagers and injured several others who were celebrating the Maulud festival.
Idris, however, said in a statement made available to First News on Saturday that the probe ordered by President Bola Tinubu should not be limited to just this particular incident, but extended to cover the source of the drone, its maintenance and operations.
He said this had become imperative to check a recurrence of the Tundun Biri accidental drone strike in future.
Idris, who is also a motivational speaker, a mentor to many and a regular commentator on financial, economic and political issues in local and international print and electronic media, added that though the incident was rudely shocking, as it exhibited some level of carelessness, recklessness, human or machine error, such mistakes were not peculiar to the Nigerian military.
He, therefore, stated that the recent error bombing in Kaduna called for caution and calm in order to properly understand the problems and the challenges confronting the military as a whole.
He also expressed appreciation over the concerns shown so far by various government agencies, organisations and functionaries since the incident occurred.
Idris further advised government to ensure that the promised assistance to the victims of the accidental drone strike gets to them without any bias or discrimination.
He also commiserated with President Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the Emir of Zazzau, Chairman of Igabi Local Government Area, the entire people of the state and families of the victims over the incident.
Below is the full text of Shuaibu’s statement:
CONDOLENCE MESSAGE BY
SHUAIBU IDRIS MIQATI mni
RE TUDUN BIRI INCIDENCE
I received with rude shock the sad news of the accident which occurred in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of our great state; Kaduna.
Friendly fire does occur in military operations, particularly when and where there may be intelligence failure. This is not peculiar to our society. Although the incidence appears to have some level of carelessness and / or recklessness, human and / or machine error are known to occur and reoccur often.
The recent incidence in Kaduna calls for caution and calm in understanding the problem as well as challenges facing the military in general.
We note with concerns the interventions of governments to CONDUCT FULL SCALE INVESTIGATION, which should NOT AND MUST BE LIMITED to the incidence but should include the source of Drone ie UAV, the suppliers, the maintenance as well as the operations of the machine.
We appreciate the level of concerns shown by various government agencies, organizations, and functionaries since the unfortunate incidence. The promises of assistance to the families of the victims and the survivors are also encouraging and welcomed. However, governments MUST ENSURE THAT THE INTENDED ASSISTANCE ARE NOT DIVITED.
On behalf of myself and my family, I wish to commiserate with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sen Uba Sani, HRH The Emir of Zazzau, the Chairman of Igabi Local Government Area as well as the entire citizens of Kaduna State, particularly the families of those affected by the unfortunate incidence.
Finally, now that we are aware of our military’s capabilities to launch such an attack, Nigerian citizens would require a definitive solution or date when bandits would be crushed by our armed forces.
Shuaibu Idris Miqati mni