The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has assured that those found culpable in the accidental killing of 85 civilians in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State would be severely punished.
Musa who gave this assurance on Friday in Abuja said Armed Forces of Nigeria is poised to sanction personnel found culpable at the end of an independent investigation ordered by President Bola Tinubu.
Fielding questions from newsmen at his maiden interaction with the media, Musa said the incident was highly regrettable.
“The incident in Kaduna is highly regrettable, it should not have been. Our mandate is to protect civilians, not to kill, maim or destroy.
“At that particular time, we were in the heat of pursuing some bandits within that general area and unfortunately this happened.
“I assure all Nigerians that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is here for Nigerians and we want Nigerians to take ownership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,’’ Musa said.
According to him, the Miilitary as a disciplined organisation would not hide any officer found culpable in the incident.
He urged Nigerians to await the result of the investigation to be able to know exactly what happened.
