The Nigerian Army has admitted it mistakenly bombed dozens of civilians at Tudun Biri village in Igabi local government area of Kaduna state.
The tragic incident happened on Sunday. The Army said the unfortunate attack was an unintended attack that happened during its routine mission against terrorists on the axis.
According to TheNation, this was disclosed in a statement issued by the overseeing commissioner of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna state, Samuel Aruwan, after the state’s Security Council meeting on Monday, December 4.
Aruwan said that during the meeting which had in attendance; heads of security agencies, Islamic clerics, and traditional rulers, the state government received briefings on the Sunday night attack.
He said during the meeting presided over by the deputy governor, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Valentine Okoro explained the circumstances that led to the unfortunate attack.
Aruwan stated: “The Kaduna state government has received briefings on Sunday night’s attack which left several citizens dead and others injured.
“In a meeting presided over by the deputy governor, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, who had in attendance heads of security agencies, and religious and traditional leaders, the Nigerian Army explained the circumstances which led to the unfortunate and unintended attack.
“The General Officer Commanding One Division Nigerian Army, Major General VU Okoro, explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community.
“The deputy governor at the end of the closed-door meeting, conveyed the condolences of the Government and People of Kaduna State to the families that lost their loved ones and prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls.
“As of the time of this update, search-and-rescue efforts are still ongoing, as dozens of injured victims have been evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital by the government.
“Heads of security agencies who attended the meeting include the Commissioner of Police, MY Garba, and Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Abdul Eneche.
“The chairman of the Kaduna state chapter of Jam’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) Professor Shafi’u Abdullahi, led other religious leaders. Also present at the meeting was the District Head of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris in whose domain the incident occurred.”