Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has visited Tudun Biri community in Kaduna State to offer condolences after a tragic incident. Accompanied by senior staff officers, he met with local leaders, including the District Head of Rigasa, Architect Aminu Idris, expressing deep regret for the unfortunate event.
During his visit, General Lagbaja acknowledged the challenges the community faced with armed banditry in the past. He explained that a drone strike occurred during aerial patrols when troops mistakenly identified a group of people, leading to the regrettable incident.
The COAS emphasized his personal presence to witness the situation and convey sincere apologies on behalf of the Nigerian Army to the affected community and the entire state. He said “I am here today to personally witness the site of the mishap and to convey sincere regrets and unreserved apologies on behalf of the Nigerian Army to the District Head and people of the community, as well as the Government and entire people of Kaduna State,”.
Highlighting the commitment to accountability, General Lagbaja announced a comprehensive inquiry into the incident. The investigation aims to identify any deficiencies that contributed to the mistake, focusing on both human and Artificial Intelligence variables.
The findings will guide the Nigerian Army in implementing effective solutions to prevent such occurrences in the future. Architect Idris praised the Nigerian Army for accepting responsibility and urged leadership to assist hospitalized victims and the community in overcoming their losses.
He clarified that Tudun Biri is a diverse community with both Muslim and Christian residents, contrary to earlier misconceptions. General Lagbaja extended condolences to religious leaders, including Chairman Jamaa’atu Nasrul Islam, Kaduna State Prof Shafiu Abdullahi, and other clerics.
He further visited victims at the Barua Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna, expressing concern for their recovery and providing immediate donations for their well-being.
In summary, the COAS’s visit aimed to show empathy, take responsibility, and initiate a thorough investigation to prevent similar incidents, while also addressing the needs of the affected community and victims.
