Too early to give religion, ethnic coloration to Kaduna bombing, group warns rabble-rousers

Northern Coalition of Socio-Political Group on Friday warned that it was too early and out of place for anyone to give the last Sunday accidental bombing in Tudun Biri, Kaduna, an ethnic or religious coloration when investigations are still ongoing.

The Nigerian Army air component had at about 10 p.m. on Sunday, December 5, 2023, accidentally bombed some residents of Tudun Biri in Igabi local government area of Karuna State leading to the death of over 100 people during a Maulud (birthday of Prophet Muhammed) celebration.

Addressing a press conference at the Kaduna State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the President of the Group, Balarabe Lawal Zaria noted that the religious and political leaders demanding the sack of the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, and other top Army Officials were just steering unnecessary tension in the Country.

To this group, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and other top government functionaries visited victims’ families and survivors in Kaduna hospitals.

Buttressing the group’s position in the development, Balarabe noted that from the information gathered, the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists, but inadvertently affected members of the community leaving several citizens dead and many others injured.

“We, therefore, wish to commiserate with the Muslim Ummah as many of the affected who were said to be celebrating the Maulud. We also commiserate with Kaduna state government and families of victims, praying that God grant the dead peace.”

“The devastating impact on lives and emotional effects are better imagined, therefore, we are urging the government and international communities to assist members of the community, especially victims’ families to cushion the effect of the bomb attack.

“Of course, it is natural for such incident to attract condemnation, little wonder, the pan-Northern political and cultural association, the Arewa Consultative Forum, and the Jama’tu Nasril Islam have added their voices with calls for those found culpable to be punished.

“However, it is too early and out of place for anyone to give the incident an ethnic or religious coloration when investigations about the circumstances surrounding the bombing are still ongoing.

“For us, the religious and political leaders demanding the sack the Chief of Defense Staff; the Chief of Army Staff, other service chiefs and the GOC are unnecessarily steering up tension. We want peace and tranquility to despite the ugly incident”, he said.

He continued, “the group and few other people who have embarked on campaign of calumny should please stop pointing accusations at the chief of Defence. We therefore call on the good people of Kaduna and Nigeria in general to avoid bringing up the issue of religion, ethnicity, and sentiment.

“It is worthy of note to say, the chief of Defence staff is not for the Southern Kaduna or Kaduna Christian or Muslim but rather for the whole nation”, he cautioned.