Leaders from Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State have distanced themselves from a legal action taken against the military concerning the mistaken bombing of their community.
Earlier reports indicated that certain individuals had filed a lawsuit against the federal government seeking N33 billion in compensation on behalf of the village, citing the loss of lives during the incident.
However, Balarabe Garba, the village head of Ifira, who led a group of affected villagers from Tudun Biri to meet with Governor Uba Sani, clarified on Wednesday that they had no knowledge of any legal representation advocating for compensation on their behalf.
He mentioned that the villagers were content with the responses received from both the state and federal governments, as well as the military and fellow Nigerians, following the tragic incident.
He emphasized, “We are not part of the legal suit instituted against the federal government. We are law-abiding citizens and will not allow ourselves to be used by anyone.”
A resident of the village, Reverend Musa Saidu said the community, despite being a mixed community with Christians and Muslims, has been living without problems.
He stressed that they would not allow anybody to create a division among them.
Governor Uba Sani, who expressed delight with the villagers, vowed to fish out those who were trying to use the villagers’ names to enrich themselves or try to cause trouble in the state.
The governor said all the donations made so far by the President and other top government officials would be handed over to a committee that would be constituted later to ensure judicious use of the money to the overall benefit of all in the villagers.
The committee, according to him, will include five members of the affected families.
