THE Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) have condemned the killing of about 120 villagers at Tudun-Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State by the Nigerian Army on Sunday.
In separate statements, the groups described the incident as sad and demanded proper investigation and justice for the victims.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC said the victims of the drone attack were celebrating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) when the incident occurred.
The group said: “Although the Nigerian Army has accepted responsibility for the attack, we strongly condemn the killing of unarmed and innocent villagers. The incident reflects carelessness and lack of professionalism.
“MURIC demands full investigation into the circumstances surrounding this disaster. Those found responsible for the callous murder of these innocent Muslim villagers must be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“We also demand full compensation for lives lost and properties destroyed in this thoughtless attack. Life is sacred and soldiers should not turn innocent civilians to lawful targets of their killing machines.”
NACOMYO, in a separate statement signed by its National Secretary General, Alhaj Mas’ud Akintola and the National Publicity Secretary, Malam Muhammadu Gidardo Sendirde, described the incident as condemnable, “coming on the heels of similar attacks in Katsina, Nasarawa, Niger, Zamfara and Plateau states.”
The apex Muslim youth group appealed to the government to launch an inquiry into the mass killing and bring the perpetrators to book.
NACOMYO expressed condolences to bereaved families and the injured victims and demanded “appropriate compensation for the victims.”
The group also called for the overhaul of the military’s intelligence gathering apparatus to prevent cases of mistaking innocent Nigerians for terrorists and blasting them away.
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