The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) stated that they castigated the Defence Headquarters of the Nigerian Army for denying responsibility of the Christmas day strikes in Sokoto which killed 10 persons because the denial is insensitive especially as such incidents have been recurrent. In the available reports, ACF has expressed deep dismay and condemnation over the military’s airstrike on the Silame community in Sokoto State, which tragically claimed ten lives and left several others injured. Describing the Christmas Day incident as “one mistake too many,” the ACF criticized the military’s explanation and called for accountability and justice.
In a statement released on Monday in Kaduna, the ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, conveyed the forum’s profound sorrow and frustration over the incident. He highlighted that this was not an isolated event, referencing previous similar attacks on the Tudun Biri community in Kaduna State about a year ago, as well as earlier incidents in Adamawa and Nasarawa states. The memories of these attacks and their gruesome statistics of casualties remain fresh and troubling for the community.
The ACF lauded the Sokoto State Government for its swift response to the tragedy, particularly Governor Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu’s prompt visit to the affected community. During his visit, the governor offered condolences and pledged government-funded medical care for the injured. “We commend the Sokoto State Government for the prompt response and call on those concerned to double up efforts to see that the governor’s promises are carried out without delay,” Muhammad-Baba stated.
However, the forum expressed deep concern over the military’s justification of the attack. It described the military spokesperson’s statement, which claimed the strike targeted a planned objective, as “insensitive.” The ACF spokesman recalled a similar incident in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, where the Defence Headquarters initially dismissed the attack as inconsequential but later admitted it as a mistake following internal investigations. He noted the lack of clarity on whether those responsible for the Tudun Biri attack had been appropriately punished.
The ACF urged the Federal Government and the Military High Command to conduct a thorough investigation into the Silame incident and publicly disclose the findings. “We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Military High Command to conduct thorough investigations into the Silame incidents with results made public and assurances that concrete steps, as opposed to the usual bland assurances or lip service, will be taken to avert such tragic incidents,” Muhammad-Baba said.
Additionally, the ACF demanded compensation for the victims’ families and the injured, emphasizing that it should align with Islamic legal principles and injunctions. “We insist that compensation be paid for those who suffered death and injuries in line with Islamic legal principles and injunctions in the community,” he added.
The forum also appealed to humanitarian organizations, affluent individuals, and the general public to provide relief to the Silame community. “We call on humanitarian and relief organisations, well-to-do individuals, and other members of the public to extend support and relief to the people of Silame Community in their hour of need,” the statement read.
Moreover, the ACF warned against corrupt practices in distributing relief materials, stating, “Corrupt, unscrupulous, or unsympathetic elements must not be allowed any room to selfishly corner any relief materials meant for the victims, as has sadly become usual in the aftermath of disasters.”
The ACF stressed the importance of implementing measures to prevent future incidents, emphasizing justice and accountability. “We urge the government and the military to take concrete steps to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. We owe it to the victims and their families to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible are held accountable,” the forum stated.
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