BY: ABDULLAHI ALHASSAN, KADUNA
The Northern Consensus Movement An Amalgamation of 593 Community Base, Socio cultural and Economic Inclined Northern Associations from the 19 Northern States and Associations of Northerners residents in the 17 Southern States (NCM), has frowned at the bombing of unarmed civilians in Tudun Biri, a community within the Igabi local Government Area of Kaduna state.
The Group also extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the affected victims and stands in solidarity with the people of Tudun Biri community, Afaka, and the entire Kaduna State during this trying time.
In a press statement Issued to Journalists in Kaduna by NCM President Comrade Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, said adequate compensation should be provided to the families of the victims.
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He explained that bombs and military actions should have been targeted at bandits and terrorists, not innocent and peaceful members of the communities.
Comrade Awwal , called for a thorough and detailed investigation into the appalling incident.
According to him “those responsible for this dastardly attack must be identified, held accountable, and brought to justice.”
“NCM insists that adequate compensation should be provided to the families of the victims. Although no financial support can replace the lives that have been lost, it is imperative that the affected families are taken care of during this difficult time”
“It is high time for the military to take decisive action to punish erring members and ensure that such tragic incidents do not occur in the future”
“The safety and security of innocent civilians should be the utmost priority of our armed forces, and not any contrary actions he added.
The NCM President, “Applauded the recent visit of the Minister of State Defence,Bello Matawalle,permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr Kana,
Chief of Defence Staff,(CDS). General Musa.Chief of Army Staff,(COAS). Lieutenant General Lagbaja.as the first Federal Government delegation to Tudun Biri to pay condolences and promised to investigate the incident and pay compensation”.
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He further commended the Professionalism, “Proactive action taken so far by the CDS General CG Musa for close arresting and detaining the service personnel in the line of duty, to allow for proper investigation and possibly prosecution”.
On the visit of the Vice President, “he said that the NCM is in support of the Vice President Kashim Shettima”s remarks regarding the government’s plans to kick start – the Pulako Initiatives in the affected communities of Tudun Biri, by providing them with social basic amenities of; housing, schools, water supplies and to pick up the medical bills of the injured and look into the issues of Compensation”, etc.
The NCM President commended the visit of national Security adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and called for “a more professional way of handling such sensitive security issues”.
He advised for creation of Community, Security, Intelligence Intervention Committee, (CSIIC).That will involve relevant stakeholders at the Community level, in order to interface with security Agent’s/Agency’s around each community.On Intelligence Gathering and information dissemination.
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“He advised that Focus should also shift to the long overdue task of modernizing the Armed Forces and Police equip them for Twenty-first century challenges, and positioning them as vanguard of a law enforcement and public safety architecture that accounts for and regulates Citizens-led communal vigilance initiatives”.
Saying that the Federal Government “must remedy the longstanding disparity in the distribution of law enforcement assets that leaves rural Nigeria vulnerable to Bandits and sundry criminal elements”.
Comrade Aliyu, urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and decisively to prevent the recurrence of such a heart breaking incident and to ensure that justice is served.