The Nigerian Army has initiated an inquiry into the reported deaths of three individuals and 100 cattle by its personnel during a recent operation in Sabon Birnin village, located in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to The PUNCH Online, individuals in military uniforms, believed to be soldiers, reportedly caused the deaths of three residents and over 100 cows on Sunday afternoon at the Sabon Birnin Daji cattle market in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna.
Witnesses have alleged that the soldiers raided the market, firing at the cattle and causing the death of at least three people while vendors fled in panic.
A local, Shehu Sabon Birni, said, “The dead animals are scattered in the market, causing an offensive odour, making life unpleasant.
“It was a horrific scene when the soldiers arrived at the market, some of them on motorcycles, and started shooting the animals. Two people were killed in the chaos.
“Now, over 100 dead cows are scattered throughout the market, and the nearby houses are overwhelmed by the stench. We are still unsure why the soldiers took such drastic action,” he mentioned.
An Islamic scholar, Dr. Ahmad Gumi, while commenting in a video on his Facebook handle, wrote, “Banditry has a cause. And this is part of it. Two wrongs don’t make a right, especially when committed by those entrusted with our protection.”
In response to a statement received from our correspondent in Kaduna on Thursday, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army’s Director of Public Relations, expressed his condolences to the families of those affected and the Sabon Birni community.
Nwachukwu promised that a comprehensive investigation would be conducted into the allegations, and any personnel found guilty would face appropriate consequences.
He noted that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, has instructed a detailed inquiry into the incident to determine both the immediate and underlying causes and identify those responsible.
“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a disturbing news report with gory pictures/video footages published in some mainstream and social media platforms alleging that troops of 1 Division annihilated 3 persons and some cattle during a recent operation at Sabon Birni in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
“While the Nigerian Army wishes to sympathize with the Sabon Birni community and families of the affected persons, we also wish to state that the allegation will be thoroughly investigated and any personnel found culpable will be appropriately sanctioned. It is also necessary to add that the NA, which is constitutionally mandated to protect the lives and property of the citizenry, can not tolerate doing otherwise.
“Accordingly, the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja has directed a thorough investigation into the incident to establish the immediate and remote causes of the incident and unravel those behind it.
“We therefore appeal for calm and assure the general public that the outcome of the investigation will also be made public.”
The PUNCH
