Northern Groups Chide Yar’Adua Over Comments on Kaduna Bombing

• Say senator lack empathy for bereaved families 

Francis Sardauna in Katsina 

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has lambasted the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdul’aziz Yar’Adua, over his comments on the recent military attack on Tundu Biri community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Yar’Adua, had in an interview with a television station, described the drone attack that claimed over 80 lives as an honest mistake that should not warrant the resignation of the Chief of Army Staff (CAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. 

But addressing journalists in Katsina Sunday, the state Coordinator of the Coalition, Habibu Ruma, said Senator Yar’Adua lacked compassion, pity and empathy towards the bereaved families and the affected community.

The coalition explained that by trivialising the incident, the senator representing Katsina Central had shrugged off the pain and trauma experienced by the victims and their families.

It said as the Senate Committee chairman on Army, Yar’Adua should have been at the forefront of demanding an all-embracing investigation to unravel and bring to justice those responsible for the “heinous act”.

While frowning upon the spate of military errant attacks in Northern Nigeria, the CNG said the loss of innocent lives in communities across the region was a grave issue that demands immediate attention and action from relevant stakeholders.

The coalition admonished Yar’Adua to show remorse by reconsidering his stance for the betterment of the people he represents, adding that empathy and understanding were crucial in tackling the needs and grievances of the affected community.

It said: “CNG Katsina State chapter strongly condemns Senator Abdul’aziz Yar’Adua’s comments on the Kaduna bombing. The loss of innocent lives in Northern Nigeria is a grave issue that demands immediate attention and action.

“It is essential for Senator Yar’Adua and other prominent Northern elite to demonstrate empathy, understanding and a genuine commitment to the well-being of the people they represent.”