Retired General Martin Luther Agwai, the former Chief of Defence Staff, has urged Nigerians to exercise caution while trading blame over the accidental bombing of innocent civilians in Tudun Biri village of Igabi local government area of Kaduna State. The incident occurred as the Nigerian military trailed terrorists on Sunday, December 3, 2023, mistakenly targeting civilians.
Addressing the audience at the graduation lecture of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EMIC) 16, held at the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) in Abuja, General Agwai condemned the loss of innocent lives in Kaduna, emphasizing the value of all human lives.
Expressing concern over the criticism directed at the military, Gen. Agwai urged cautious condemnation to avoid demoralizing the military forces engaged in operations. He acknowledged operational mistakes but stressed the need to handle criticisms prudently to prevent the military from being discouraged in their fight against insecurity.
Highlighting the potential consequences of unchecked criticism, Agwai warned that an environment of fear and apprehension could hinder military operations, ultimately harming the country’s efforts to tackle insecurity.
The representative of the Director General of the Department of State Services, Mrs. Bola Orufe, urged the participants to uphold the institute’s standards and be exemplary ambassadors.
The Commandant of the National Institute of Security Studies, Ayodele Adeleke, noted that 86 participants successfully graduated from the EMIC 16, which commenced on February 13, 2023. Adeleke emphasized the relevance of the event’s theme, “Rebuilding Trust in Plural Societies: Pathways for Sustainable Development in Africa,” in addressing issues like peace-building in diverse societies.
Regrettably, three participants lost their lives during the 10-month EMIC Course 16, out of a total of 89 participants.