*Commiserates with Both religion
*Urges support, prayers for armed forces, condemns
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Anglican Bishop of Wusasa Diocese, Zaria in Kaduna State, Most Rev. Buba Ali-Lamido has expressed deep grief over the accidental bombing at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of the state which claimed several lives.
The cleric, however bemoaned an attempt by some religious groups to “mischievously” paint incident as an agenda targeted at Muslims.
According to him, both Muslims and Christians were also killed during the unfortunate incident in which the Nigerian Army had since apologized for the accidental bombing of the village.
Lamidi, in a statement released in Kaduna, warned that any attempt to give the incident a religious colouration, would demoralized the nation’s armed forces in the renewed war against terrorists in the North.
He recalled that a similar incident occurred in 2017 where the Nigerian Air Force accidentally bombed Rann IDP camp in Borno, which claimed 250 lives but “did not witness this same hysteria that we are witnessing today.”
He said that every live was precious while noting that the death of Christians, Muslims and even of none adherents of both faith was without doubt, painful.
His words: “The Anglican Bishop of Wusasa Diocese, His Grace Most Reverend Dr. Buba Ali Lamido has expressed deep grief over the accidental bombing at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State that claimed over 85 lives and scores of injured people and worry at attempts by some religious groups to mischievously paint what was an accident as an agenda targeted at Muslims.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Muslims and Christians were killed in the attack,which the Nigerian Army has claimed responsibility and duly apologized for.
“We Northerners must be careful not demoralize the armed forces in the renewed war against the terrorists, because the war is far from over. We know for a fact that “war is a very human endeavor,and mistakes inevitably will occur
“We are aware of the 2017 multiple bombing of the Rann IDP camp in Borno State, by the Nigerian Airforce which killed over 250 people and we didn’t witness this same hysteria that we are witnessing today.
“I don’t want to conclude that the deafening silence then had to do with the fact that the president and service chiefs were all Muslims?
“Every life is precious. The death of Christians, Muslims and even of none adherents of both faith, is without doubt painful.
“But when the outrage is targeted at the president, because he is from the South or service chiefs, because of their tribe and faith, we have a duty to condemn these narratives which clearly have nothing to do with the sad loss.
“The lives of the poor must not only be important,when we can use them to further our political agenda.”
The clergyman also appealed Northerners, especially politicians eyeing the 2027 general elections to stop politicizing the incident he described as “clearly an innocent mistake.”
He also said “Nigerian Armed Forces, is a truly national institution that will never target a particular area for attack,because of their religious or ethnic background. The day that happens,will be the end of our dear country”.
Our reporter reported that the Kaduna State Government said the Nigerian Army claimed responsibility for dropping of the bomb on Tudun Biri which left no fewer than 100 villagers dead penultimate Sunday. End
