Kaduna Bombing: Those responsible will not go unpunished, CDS reassures

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, said the inquiry into the Kaduna unintentional military airstrike is proceeding and that those responsible will not go unpunished.

He assured that the outcome of its investigation of the accidental bombing of villages in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, will be made available to the public as soon as the processes have been completed.

Speaking on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the military top brass said, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria is solidly behind the government and Nigeria. Our mandate is to defend democracy and we will continue to do that. So, nobody should have any fear. We would make amends after the committee [to probe the matter] has come up [with its report]. Anybody who is found culpable will face the music,” he said.

He added that nothing will be concealed from the public stressing that the military is sincere, fair and impartial.

“We are sincere, we are fair, we are impartial. We want to know what actually happened so that we can make amends. I can assure you that nothing will be swept under the carpet.”

He also apologised for the airstrike, saying the Army “feel extremely very bad about it” and that the “incident was never deliberate”.

“Anytime we have mistakes, we take ownership and we feel extremely very bad about it especially when we lose our troops in war,” General Christopher added, calling on Nigerians to continue in their support of troops to win the war against banditry and other crimes.

“We just want Nigerians to understand that the incident was never deliberate. We would never deliberately target our citizens. Our mandate is to protect innocent Nigerians and we will continue to do that.”

“We should not, by our actions or utterances, demoralise our troops. These guys stay awake so you can sleep,” the CDS said.

“It is easier for you to say they made a mistake; they’re not doing well. If they pull out of these locations, what happens? We will not even have a country.”