We’ll push until victims of Kaduna airstrikes get justice – Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has demanded justice for the victims of military airstrikes that killed over 100 people in Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Sultan said this at the Silver Anniversary of the 11th Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammad Isa Muhammad (CON) on the throne, at the Emir’s Palace in Kafanchan, Kaduna, on Friday.

“We are here not only to celebrate the emir, but to also pray for the emirate and the lives of those killed in Kaduna State. We are going to push for it until justice is served to the people,” he added.

In his response, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa described what happened in Kaduna as highly regrettable.

“Our duty is to protect the citizens, we are going to take a serious action to make sure something like this is not going to happen again anywhere in the country. The president has ordered a thorough investigation on it,” he said.

In his remarks, the Emir of Zazzau, who is also the Chairman Council of Chiefs and Emirs in Kaduna State, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, said he was working and pushing for the relevance of traditional rulers so as to be constitutionally recognized because they are close to the people at the grassroots.

He said the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Emir was an opportunity for the people of Southern Kaduna to unite for peace to reign in the part of the state.

The emir of Jama’a Alhaji Muhammad Isa Muhammad thanked the Kaduna State government and all those who supported and prayed for his success.

Those in attendance in the anniversary included the Chairman Council of Emirs and Chiefs in Kaduna state, Emir of Zazzau Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Kagara from Niger state, former governors of Kaduna state; Col. Umar Faruk Ahmad (rtd) and Senator Ahmed Muhammed Makarfi.

Also in attendance were the entire chiefs and emirs of Lere, Saminaka, Gwantu, Jaba, Ninzo, Ayu, Kaninkon, Kagoro, Kamantan, Barde, Godogodo, Bajju, emir of Kanam in Plateau state and the representative of emir of Keffi, Nasarawa State, among others.