The Kaduna state government says the Nigerian Army has accepted responsibility for the death of some residents of Tudun Birni community in Igabi LGA of the state.

According to the state government, the army said the air strike that killed the villagers was a mistake.

On Sunday, many residents were feared dead after an air strike was launched on the community. Some reports have put the death toll from the strike at over 30, with scores left injured.

However, Edward Gabkwet, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) spokesperson, said reports that NAF launched the air strike on hapless civilians was false.

Speaking on the development, Samuel Aruwan, overseeing commissioner, ministry of internal security and home affairs, in a statement on Monday after an emergency security meeting, said the incident inadvertently occurred during a routine mission against terrorists by the army.

Aruwan added that injured victims are currently receiving treatment at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital.

He said the meeting was presided over by Hadiza Balarabe, deputy governor of the state, and had heads of security agencies, religious and traditional leaders in attendance.

“The Kaduna State Government has received briefings on Sunday night’s attack which left several citizens dead and others injured,” Aruwan said.

“The Nigerian Army explained the circumstances which led to the unfortunate and unintended attack.

“The General Officer Commanding (GOC) One Division, Nigerian Army, Major VU Okoro explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists, but inadvertently affected members of the community.

“The Deputy Governor at the end of the closed door meeting, conveyed the condolences of the Government and People of Kaduna State to the families that lost their loved ones, and prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls.

“As of the time of this update, search-and-rescue efforts are still ongoing, as dozens of injured victims have been evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital by the Government.

“Heads of security agencies who attended the meeting include the Commissioner of Police, MY Garba, and Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Abdul Eneche.

“The Chairman of the Kaduna State Chapter of Jam’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) Professor Shafi’u Abdullahi, led other religious leaders.

“Also present at meeting was the District Head of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris, in whose domain the incident occurred.”

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reacted to reports of its personnel shooting two students of Junior Secondary School, Life Camp, in the federal capital territory (FCT).

There were reports that NSCDC personnel shot at the students on Wednesday, causing enraged students to vandalise three patrol vehicles belonging to the corps.

In a statement on Friday signed by Comfort Okomanyi, its spokesperson, the NSCDC said its FCT command was invited to the school by Akinfolajimi Olayinka, the principal, to provide security.

She said the request was sequel to the school being terrorised by some persons who always gained access by scaling the perimeter fence.

“However, on Wednesday 29th November, the school was invaded by some notorious elements, some of whom were expelled students and their student collaborators to disturb the peace of the school and caused mayhem by destroying cars belonging to the teachers at the parking lot,” the statement reads.

“Armed with cudgels and other dangerous weapons, some of the hoodlums had launched attack on the deployed unarmed NSCDC personnel, staff and students of the school which necessitated the call for a back up by armed personnel.

“In the melee that followed, two (2) students sustained bullet wounds unintentionally when warning shots were fired into the air in an attempt to prevent carnage by some notorious ex-students who were suspected cult members that had been expelled from the school.”

The spokesperson said to prevent an escalation, the NSCDC invited the police.

She said contrary to reports, the two students were not killed and are now in stable conditions.

FURTHER INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

The spokesperson said Ahmed Audi, commandant-general of the NSCDC, has ordered the forensic psychological examination wing of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre, to immediately commence evaluation of all armed personnel of the FCT Command.

“Also, the Corps management has set up a panel of inquiry to get to the root of the matter and internal disciplinary mechanisms would be deployed to punish any of the personnel found wanting in the unfortunate incident,” the statement reads.

“The NSCDC FCT Command wishes to apologize to the parents/guardians of the two students who were injured unintentionally and promises to pick up the bills incurred in the course of their treatment.

“The Command urges members of the public to disregard reports to the contrary as the Corps remained committed to the Federal Government’s Safe School programme and would not allow miscreants under any guise to breach the peace in our academic environments.”

Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo, has been re-elected for a second term in office.

Akinsanya, Alhaji Sulyman Ojora – Deputy Chairman; Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle (Sego) – Treasurer and 20 other executive members were elected unopposed yesterday at the 10th Quadrennial State Delegates Conference held at the state union secretariat, Agege.

They were sworn-in by Adejare Kembi, Principal, Excel Practitioners in the presence Acting National President of the union Alhaji Aliyu Issa Ore; former National Secretary Kabiru Ado Yau; Controller, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Lagos Office Eshomounu Itemoagbo; Assistant Chief Labour Officer in the ministry Anthony Ogwu; and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos State Public Relation Officer Comrade Ismail Adejumo among others.

Akinsanya thanked Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ore-led national body of the union and other stakeholders for standing by him during the crisis.

He reserved special commendation for members of the union in the state for their loyalty to him as their leader and perseverance.

He promised more assistants and for union members.

Akinsanya also vowed to continue his reform policies that have transformed the union activities in the state for better.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by a Director in the State Ministry of Transportation, Lateef Tiamiyu, hailed the union members for re-election Akinsanya for a second term in office.

He praised Akinsanya’s exemplary leadership qualities and ability to reform the union activities in the state.

According to the governor, gone were the days NURTW members took to violence to effect leadership change.

He implored them to continue to key into the government policies.

Itemoagbo described Akinsanya as a leader that is moving in the right direction.

He said Akinsanya’s employment of over 123 graduates to work in various units of the union is highly commendable.

He promised that the ministry would continue to partner Akinsanya-led union to ensure more people are employed in the union.

Itemoagbo enjoined union members to maintain for their association to record more progress.

Acting National President of the union Alhaji Ore hailed Akinsanya’s emergence and other executive members.

He said: “Those who will emerge victorious from this election must serve in such a way that demonstrates exemplary leadership, capacity and sacrifice. Both the leadership and followership must strive through a collaborative effort to turn the union fortune for the better.

“Those elected must carry others along. I therefore urge you all to within your limitations try as much as possible to run an open administration that will be devoid of victimization and committed to fairness, equity, and justice; so that unity and harmony will prevail amongst others and members of this great union at the various levels.”

He promised that the ministry would continue to partner Akinsanya-led union to ensure more people are employed in the union.

Itemoagbo enjoined union members to maintain for their association to record more progress.

Acting National President of the union Alhaji Ore hailed Akinsanya’s emergence and other executive members.

He said: “Those who will emerge victorious from this election must serve in such a way that demonstrates exemplary leadership, capacity and sacrifice. Both the leadership and followership must strive through a collaborative effort to turn the union fortune for the better.

“Those elected must carry others along. I therefore urge you all to within your limitations try as much as possible to run an open administration that will be devoid of victimization and committed to fairness, equity, and justice; so that unity and harmony will prevail amongst others and members of this great union at the various levels.”

Commissioner of Police in Lagos Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa, who was represented by Olatunji Oladimeji, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), hailed Akinsanya for cooperating with the police force.

He called for more collaboration between the police and the union.