The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has described the statement of the Nigerian military on the Sokoto accidental airstrike as reckless and irresponsible.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the accidental airstrike killed over 10 people and injured many.
While condemning the incident, the ACF spokesperson, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, in a statement on Monday, said it is”one mistake too many”.
“The bland response of a spokesperson of the military insisting that the attack was on a planned target was most insensitive.
“We recall that the Defence Headquarters had initially attempted to wish away the Tudun Biri tragedy only to later admit it as a mistake, as indeed proved so by its own internal investigations.
“It is not clear if indeed those responsible for Tudun Biri had been punished as ought to have been,” the ACF spokesman said.
While recalling similar incidents which occurred in Northern states like Nasarawa, Kaduna, Plateau, and Adamawa, the forum called for a probe into the attack and equal compensation of the victims.
“We are deeply troubled and saddened by the Silame incident, as one far too many in the country.
“This was not an isolated incident, as the memories of similar attacks on the Tudun Biri community, Kaduna State, about a year ago, and earlier in Adamawa and Nasarawa states, with their gruesome statistics of casualties, remain fresh in memory,” he said.
“We insist that compensation be paid for those who suffered death and injuries in line with Islamic legal principles and injunctions in the community,” Mr Muhammad-Baba added.
The forum, however, commended the quick intervention of the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu.
“We commend the Sokoto State Government for the prompt response and call on those concerned to double up efforts to see that the governor’s promises are carried out without delay.
