Protesters descended on the National Assembly premises in Abuja on Wednesday in response to the Sunday bombing of a village in Kaduna State, demanding justice for the victims and calling on Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, to fulfill his responsibilities or resign.
According to Daily Trust, the demonstrators, who occupied the entrance gate of the National Assembly for over two hours, expressed their outrage over an air strike that inadvertently hit civilians during a religious celebration at Tudun Biri on Sunday night.
The incident resulted in a tragic death toll of 120, as confirmed by officials from Amnesty International who visited the affected villages.
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Nasir Ishaku, the leader of the protesters representing the National Youth Council of Nigeria, North West Zone, and Arewa Youth Movement, addressed the media, emphasizing the need for justice for the victims.
“For those who have eyes to see, let them see well, and those who have ears to hear, let them listen attentively. Nigeria is not well because Nigerians are being killed day by day,” Ishaku stated.
He further criticized the deteriorating security situation in the country, particularly in Northern Nigeria, since Badaru assumed office as Minister of Defence.
Ishaku expressed concern about the increasing loss of members of the armed forces and the abduction of university students without information about their whereabouts.
“These are clear indications that the minister is incompetent to handle that sensitive ministry. Therefore, he should wake up to his responsibilities or resign,” Ishaku demanded.
The protesters underscored the urgency of addressing the security challenges in Nigeria and sought accountability for those responsible for the unintended civilian casualties resulting from the air strike.
The demonstration reflects the growing frustration and concerns among citizens regarding the state of security in the country, especially in regions grappling with persistent violence and attacks.
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