The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has reacted to the ‘accidental’ bombing of Tundun Biri in Kaduna State on Sunday by the Nigerian Army.
NEF said the incident has caused serious worry for the safety and well-being of people in war zones.
The forum urged a thorough probe into the tragedy that killed scores of innocent persons.
Mallam Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, NEF’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy, said in a statement on Tuesday that the elders recognized that the Kaduna State Government had risen to the occasion and promised that strike victims would be compensated.
“However, beyond compensation for the victims, a thorough investigation is essential to ensure justice for the affected civilians, prevent future occurrences, and uphold the principles of human rights and international humanitarian law,” he said.
He stated that conducting a comprehensive inquiry into the unintentional bombing is critical to averting future accidents.
According to him, the investigation could discover any systemic flaws, deficiencies in training, or poor practices that may have contributed to the accident by analyzing the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
He added that the military, armed with this knowledge, may adopt important reforms such as increased coordination, enhanced intelligence collecting, and stricter adherence to rules of engagement.
“These measures will minimize the risk of accidental bombings and protect civilian lives during military operations. An investigation aligns with the principles of human rights and international humanitarian law,” it added.
