Tudun Biri bombing: Sultan of Sokoto pledges commitment until justice served

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has demanded justice for the victims of military drone airstrikes that killed nearly 100 people in Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, northern Nigeria.

The Sultan said this at the Silver Anniversary of the 11th Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammad Isa Muhammad (CON) on the throne, at the Emir’s Palace in Kafanchan, Kaduna, on Friday.

The Daily Trust quoted him as saying, “We are here not only to celebrate the emir, but to also pray for the emirate and the lives of those killed in Kaduna State. We are going to push for it until justice is served to the people,” he added.

The Sultan, who is also the head of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), earlier called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the military bombing of Tudun Biri villagers while celebrating Maulud on Sunday.

The JNI said the call has become inevitable considering that similar episodes have occurred in the recent past in Yobe, Zamfara, Borno and other places.

Afrireporters reported that the Nigerian Defence Headquarters pledged to exercise caution in their subsequent operations to prevent large casualties of civilians.

“Henceforth, we will be 100 percent sure of our target before we carry out bombings,” Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba, assured, as he announced the number of people killed in the aerial bombardment.

“We, as the Armed Forces of Nigeria, will continue to conduct our operations consistent with the rules of engagement, which we have always done and our operations wËll always be joint.

“Regarding the incident that happened in Kaduna, the military always learns from its operations and continues to build from it. The military will deal with it squarely. We will ensure that we have zero occurrences in the future.”