The Nigerian Army is set to investigate claims that troops killed three civilians and 100 cattle in Sabon Birni, Kaduna State.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered a thorough probe into the allegations.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, announced the investigation on Thursday.
This follows a viral video showing the aftermath of a recent operation by troops from the 1 Division in Sabon Birni, Igabi Local Government Area.
Maj.-Gen. Nwachukwu said, “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a disturbing news report with gory pictures and video footages alleging that troops of 1 Division annihilated three persons and some cattle.”
He assured the public that the Nigerian Army sympathizes with the Sabon Birni community and the families of the victims. He added, “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.”
Nwachukwu emphasized that the Army is committed to protecting lives and property, saying, “The Nigerian Army, which is constitutionally mandated to protect the lives and property of the citizenry, cannot tolerate doing otherwise.”
He continued, “Accordingly, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja has directed a thorough investigation into the incident to establish the immediate and remote causes and unravel those behind it.”
The Army has urged the public to remain calm and has promised to make the results of the investigation public.
