Northern Outrage: Defence, Army Chiefs Under Fire for Kaduna Civilian Bombing

Amid reports of an aerial attack claiming the lives of Muslim worshippers in Kaduna, the Arewa Action Group for Good Governance from the North has vehemently demanded the immediate resignation of Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. The group insists that if the Chiefs don’t step down, they should face dismissal by President Bola Tinubu due to their alleged involvement in the tragic bombing incident targeting unarmed civilians in Kaduna State.

The Arewa group’s statement surfaced following the disturbing event on Monday, where scores of Muslims were reportedly killed during celebrations for Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (Maulid Nabiyy). While the army claimed the airstrikes aimed at terrorists, the Northern group vehemently condemned the attack on unarmed civilians in Tudun Biri. The group, through a statement signed by Moses Saleh, expressed severe discontent with the Nigerian Army’s actions, suggesting it tarnished the institution’s human rights reputation.

The statement detailed accusations against Gen Christopher Musa, blaming him for allegedly colluding with the Nigerian Army to inflict chaos on Kaduna communities. The group criticized the Chief of Defence Staff for authorizing military action without involving the Nigerian Air Force, responsible for air operations. The group posed critical questions, expressing doubts about the Army’s justification for mistaking worshippers for terrorists and highlighted the suspicious absence of intelligence gathering in such operations.

Raising concerns over possible ulterior motives behind the attack, the group highlighted the geographical connection of the incident to the Chief of Defence Staff’s origins, insinuating potential political intrigue. The Arewa Action Group vehemently advocated for the immediate removal of the Chiefs, deeming their actions unacceptable and a threat to the nation’s security. They urged the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to take decisive measures in addressing the situation, fearing similar incidents might have occurred unnoticed in other regions of the country.