By Halimah Olamide
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Chris Musa, has warned Nigerians against using the Tundun Biri Kaduna bombings as an avenue to demoralise the country’s troops.
Musa said what happened in Kaduna was a human error.
Military air strikes had killed scores in Tudun Biri community in Kaduna State with many also injured.
The Defence Headquarters had admitted the bombings were done error after following an intelligence of activities of some terrorists in the area.
Speaking at the graduation of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 45 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos, said ”The incident in Kaduna is, indeed, unfortunate and regrettable; it was a mistake and not a deliberate act.
”The incident wasn’t on purpose; we are meant to protect Nigerians and cannot be seen killing them.
”And so, I want to appeal to Nigerians not to use this incident to demoralise our troops, because we are determined to end all forms of insecurity currently confronting our nation.”
The drone strikes had occurred during a religious festival on Sunday night in Kaduna State.
About 88 people had reportedly died while no fewer than 68 others, mostly women and children, sustained various degrees of injuries.
The CDS expressed the commitment of the military toward protecting the sanctity of human lives, adding that troops would never attack law abiding citizens.
He further appealed to Nigerians to pray and support the military and other security agencies in their bid to rid the nation of all forms of security challenges.