By Isa SAIDU, Dutse.
Normalcy has returned to Tudun Biri Igabi LGA in Kaduna state following the recent Drone strike attack by military in the area, The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has paid a condolence visit to Tudun Biri community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
During the visit, the senior Army boss commiserate, tender apology, and pledged succor to Tudun Biri Community.
The Army Chief who arrived the community in the early hours of Tuesday 5 December 2023, accompanied by Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, where he met with the Dangaladima Zazau, the District Head of Rigasa, Architect Aminu Idris, other leaders and members of the community.
Similarly, Kaduna state Deputy Governor leads government delegation to Tudun Biri for condolence, assures victims of support.
Following the tragic incident at Tudun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, today (Tuesday) led a delegation of senior government officials, religious leaders, traditional and community leaders to condole the affected families.
On behalf of the Government of Kaduna State, Dr Balarabe once again expressed heartfelt sympathies to the victims and their families.
The Deputy Governor disclosed that the state government has established a committee comprising senior government officials, religious leaders, and representatives of the Nigerian Army to oversee mechanisms of compensation and other forms of government assistance to the victims.
Dr Balarabe also informed members that the injured victims have been evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, where they are receiving necessary medical attention.
In response to the immediate needs of the affected community, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has been directed to deliver relief items to support the victims, while the Government takes responsibility for the medical care of the injured.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdulkadir Muazu Meyere, senior government officials, the Commissioner of Police Kaduna State Command Musa Yusuf Garba, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) Abdul Enenche, the Chairman of JNI Kaduna State chapter Mohammed Shafiu Abdullahi, the Chairman of Fityanul Islam Kaduna State, and the District Head of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris among others.
Similarly, the Minister of State Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle has led a delegation comprising the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa, Chief of Army Staff Lt. General TA Lagbaja and the Permanent Secretary Minis state depuhe COAS in an emotion laden speech expressed regrets on the unfortunate mishap, describing it as a very disheartening occurrence.
The District Head of Rigasa, Architect Aminu Idris in his remarks said despite the enormity of the incident, the Nigerian Army showed integrity in accepting responsibility for the drone strike and urged its leadership to intervene in bringing succour to hospitalized victims and the community for their losses.
The DH maintained that the community is a mixed community of both Muslims and Christians and that the victims are of both faith, contrary to earlier insinuation that the community is solely Muslim.
General Lagbaja also commiserated with the Chairman Jamaa’ atu Nasru Islam, Kaduna State Prof Shafiu Abdullahi and other clerics.
Picture of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Lagbaja during a condolence visit on Community of Tudun Biri over military drone attack which led to the deaths of hundreds, seated left was the District Head of Igabi LGA, Arch. Aminu Idris.
The Chief of Army Staff equally visited affected victims at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital Anguwan Rimi, Kaduna, where he expressed concern for the speedy recuperation of the hospitalized persons and made an immediate donation of several provisions for their upkeep.
