Chief of Defence Staff Assures Accountability in Kaduna Airstrike Investigation
Chief of Defence Staff Assures Accountability in Kaduna Airstrike Investigation
In the aftermath of the accidental military airstrike in the Igabi council area of Kaduna, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa has reiterated that the investigation is ongoing, assuring the public that those found responsible will be held accountable.
Eighty-five casualties were confirmed in the unfortunate incident several weeks ago, prompting President Bola Tinubu to order a thorough investigation. CDS General Christopher Musa, speaking on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, emphasized the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to defend democracy.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is solidly behind the government and Nigeria. Our mandate is to defend democracy, and we will continue to do that. So, nobody should have any fear. We would make amends after the committee [to probe the matter] has come up [with its report]. Anybody who is found culpable will face the music,” affirmed General Musa.
He further assured the public that once the investigation is complete, the findings will be made public, emphasizing the Armed Forces’ dedication to transparency and accountability.
“We are sincere, we are fair, we are impartial. We want to know what actually happened so that we can make amends. I can assure you that nothing will be swept under the carpet,” stated the CDS on the breakfast show.
Expressing regret over the airstrike, General Christopher Musa conveyed the Army’s deep remorse, emphasizing that the incident was never intentional.
“Anytime we have mistakes, we take ownership and we feel extremely very bad about it, especially when we lose our troops in war,” added General Christopher. He called on Nigerians to continue supporting the troops in the ongoing battle against banditry and other crimes.
“We just want Nigerians to understand that the incident was never deliberate. We would never deliberately target our citizens. Our mandate is to protect innocent Nigerians, and we will continue to do that,” he assured.
Acknowledging the sacrifices of the troops, General Musa cautioned against actions or statements that could demoralize them, highlighting the critical role they play in maintaining the country’s stability.
“It is easier for you to say they made a mistake; they’re not doing well. If they pull out of these locations, what happens? We will not even have a country,” concluded the CDS.
