The Northern Coalition of Socio-political Groups strongly criticized the call for the removal of key military figures, including the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, labeling such demands as a source of unnecessary tension.
Alhaji Balarabe Lawal Zaria, the Deputy National President of the group, conveyed these sentiments while addressing the media at the Kaduna State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). He emphasized the need for peace and cautioned against drawing premature conclusions in the aftermath of the tragic bombing incident in Tudun-Biri area of Kaduna State.
Zaria emphasized the responsiveness shown by both the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who visited the victims’ families and the injured in Kaduna, showcasing their concern for the situation.
While urging for a transparent investigation into the incident, Zaria stressed the importance of uncovering the truth surrounding the tragedy. The group called for a meticulous and open inquiry to ascertain the exact circumstances of the incident.
Furthermore, the coalition appealed to the military to reassess its rules of engagement to prevent future occurrences of inadvertent airstrikes on communities. Zaria cautioned against attributing ethnic or religious biases to the incident while investigations into the matter were ongoing, emphasizing the need for patience and objectivity in understanding the situation.
