Nigeria First Project Initiative, a civil society organisation, has advocated for a special panel to investigate the root causes of incessant accidental airstrikes holistically.

The group made the call on Tuesday in Katsina in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Hamza Umar-Saulawa.

Mr Umar-Saulawa specifically appealed to the federal government to set up an independent investigative panel to thoroughly investigate the primary causes of accidental bombings, killing innocent citizens.

He said, “We are concerned by the incessant accidental bombings and killings of innocent Nigerians by the military airstrikes in some parts of the frontline areas.

“Reports by a national dailies have indicated that the unfortunate occurrences of airstrikes against innocent civilians in Nigeria started in 2014.

“The latest incident happened on January 11 in Maradun local government area of Zamfara, in which 15 persons were reportedly killed.”

He, however, expressed appreciation to the gallant security forces, who were fighting to protect people from terrorists and safeguard the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

“But we must raise our voices to call on President Bola Tinubu to set up a special panel that will be mandated to unravel the actual causes of such incidences.

“We believe that self-denial and offering excuses by the military anytime they accidentally drop their bombs on innocent civilians is even undermining the ongoing war against terrorists.

“Therefore, President Tinubu, through the office of the national security adviser (NSA), needs to take all the necessary measures to stop these recurring embarrassing episodes,” Mr Umar-Saulawa advised.

According to the coordinator, the federal government should hold the military officers accountable for accidental airstrikes.

He further advocated for adequate compensation and other necessary support for the victims of such accidental military airstrikes.

“Enough is enough to the bombing and killing of innocent Nigerians with the weapons procured using their taxes,” he said.

According to him, the group is a civil society organisation in Nigeria that advocates patriotism, nationalism, unity, national integration, and peace. 

(NAN)