The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has visited Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, where victims of the recent accidental military air strike in Tudun Biri village are receiving treatment.
Obi, whose visit on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, came a week after the incident called on the Federal Government to provide adequate funding for the military and other security agencies in order to enhance their operations.
He lamented that the country has so far recorded 16 accidental military bombings that claimed over 500 lives, with nothing being done by the Federal Government to avert recurrence of such tragedies.
The former Anambra State governor, however, underscored the need for the government to support the military to ensure that incidents like accidental bombings do not happen again.
Obi noted that adequate funding for the military is key in tackling the contemporary and emerging security challenges confronting the nation.
He supported calls for the investigation of the military air strike, just as he advocated the setting up of a foundation to cater for the victims of Tudun Biri drone attack, particularly those that have been orphaned by the incident.
Additionally, he made a donation of 5 million Naira to aid in the rehabilitation of injured victims.
Similarly, Jam’iyyatu Ansariddeen (Attijjaniyya), an Islamic group, has donated clothes, detergents, and N3.9 million in cash to victims of the recent drone misfire in Tudun Biri village, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The donation, led by Sheikh Abdul’ahad Ibrahim-Niass, chairman of NIASSE International Foundation, was distributed to victims receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Hospital and Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital.
Alhaji Al-Qasim Yahaya, the group’s national secretary, stated that the gesture aimed to support their members and others affected by the tragedy.
“This donation is part of our efforts to improve the living conditions of the victims devastated by the recent drone misfire,” Yahaya said.
The group offered condolences to families who lost loved ones in the incident and urged the Nigerian Army to re-evaluate its rules of engagement for drone deployments.
“Improved training and education of military personnel regarding human rights and protecting civilian lives is crucial,” Yahaya added.
