President Bola Tinubu has ordered a thorough investigation of military bombing of Tundun Biri village that led to the killing of over 85 people, including women and children in Kaduna State.
The airstrike led to outrages across the country leading to the visit to the scene by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja where he apologized for the error committed by the military.
He also donated the sum of N10 million to the injured survivors of the airstrike for their upkeep when he paid them a visit at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) put the official death toll at 85 with 66 injured. Witnesses said more had died.
Tinubu sympathised with the families of victims, the people and government of Kaduna State over the incident that happened in Igabi Local Government Area of the state.
President Tinubu described the incident as very unfortunate, disturbing, and painful, expressing indignation and grief over the tragic loss of Nigerian lives.
A statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu’s media adviser, said, “The president has directed a thorough and full-fledged investigation into the incident and calls for calm while the authorities look diligently into the mishap.
“The president has also directed swift and comprehensive medical attention for surviving victims while praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased”.
Army Spokesman, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said that troops carrying out aerial patrols observed a group of people and “wrongly analysed and misinterpreted their pattern of activities to be similar to that of the bandits” before the drone strike.
Lagbaja has ordered an investigation and the outcome would guide the army to deal with any identified lapses in human and artificial intelligence, said Nwachukwu.
Speaking with journalists shortly after his visit, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, said the accidental strike was done by unarmed aerial vehicles (drone) platforms on the trail of bandits.
According to him, “On Sunday the 3rd of December, 2023, while the Nigerian Army UAV (unarmed aerial vehicle) platforms were conducting armed reconnaissance around the vicinity of Riyawa, Ruma.
The drones observed movement of people suspected to be bandits and having trailed them for some time, the decision was taken to strike based on the observation of some tactics usually employed by bandits.
“Unfortunately, the report we got thereafter revealed that it was innocent civiliana in Tudun Biri that the drone carried out the strike on.
With the reports, we felt the urgent and essential need to visit the attacked vicinity physically to first commiserate with the community on the unfortunate incident.
The visit was also aimed at determining the kind of enquiry that would be conducted by the Nigerian Army to forestall reoccurrence of such kind of unfortunate incident.
“We also look beyond to determine the kind of operations we will be conducting going forward in the vicinity and environs.
We have already set up inquiry, while visit to the village has given an idea of the kind of expertise that would be employed in the committee.
The enquiry committee will ensure a holistic view and recommendations that will be worthwhile going forward.”
He said the Nigerian Army as a responsible organisation of the government would support the law abiding citizens and their families for being victims of the unfortunate incident, adding that the army would also provide support to the entire community to alleviate their sufferings.
The Chief of Army Staff however urged the community to always provide useful information to authorities and security operatives in order to ensure swift action against adversaries.
The District Head of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris, described the drone attack incident as unfortunate, saying that, over 80 people were buried.
He also confirmed the COAS statement that the environment was infested by bandits, as he said that the community had suffered many banditry attacks.
He however urged the Army to continue doing its best in protecting the lives and properties of the citizens, as he expressed optimism that the authorities would compensate families of the deceased to ameliorate their sufferings.
The Chief of Army Staff and his entourage thereafter visited the survivors of the attack at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital and donated N10 million to the survivors receiving treatment for their upkeep.
FG To Compensate Kaduna Airstrike Victims
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has pledged its commitment to collaborate with the Kaduna State government in providing compensation for the victims of the recent bombing in Kaduna.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, confirmed that investigations into the incident were underway.
The minister reiterated the government’s dedication to supporting those undergoing medical treatment and assured that anyone responsible for the attack would face the full consequences of their actions. He said, “We are deeply saddened by the occurrence of this incident.
May Allah forgive those who died and grant them Jannah. “Indeed, we have suffered a great loss, we have confirmed that it was the Nigerian Army who was responsible for this incident.
They have told us that it was a mistake, but a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the exact details of what happened and how to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
“We are grateful to the Kaduna State government for their swift response to this incident.
They have already hospitalised the victims and promised to work with us to provide compensation, I heard this on the radio.
“Although there has been no formal communication between us yet, we are working on a statement and we will determine how to support the families of the deceased.”
The minister further said that a thorough investigation would identify those responsible for the error, but it was important to avoid actions that could demoralize the army.
“While security and war operations are inherently complex and demanding, a thorough investigation will identify those responsible for this error. Holding them accountable is necessary to ensure future success.
“This situation presents a delicate balance. We must thoroughly investigate the error while simultaneously avoiding actions that could demoralize our forces. Striking the right balance is crucial for maintaining operational effectiveness,” he added.
I Lost 34 Family Members To Kaduna Bombing— Villager
A resident of Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Idris Dahiru, has disclosed how 34 members of his family were killed when Nigerian Army bombarded the village.
Over 85 people were said to have been killed when drones from the Nigerian Army bombarded residents in a mistaken identity on Sunday while the villagers were celebrating Maulud.
The army, however, regretted the bombing, saying it was targeted at terrorists.
Dahiru told the BBC Hausa Service that the annual Maulud celebration was shattered by unexpected airstrikes.
He said the first bomb exploded without warning, killing innocent people, including women and children, saying that some victims were torn apart by the blast.
According to Dahiru, as they rushed to aid the injured, the jet returned, unleashing a second bomb, adding that this time, many of those who had come to help were among the casualties. He said, “Our annual Maulud celebration was shattered by unexpected airstrikes.
The first bomb exploded without warning, killing innocent people, including women and children, some victims were torn apart by the blast,” Dahiru told BBC Hausa.
“As we rushed to aid the injured, the jet returned, unleashing a second bomb, this time, many of those who had come to help were among the casualties.
“My family alone has lost 34 members in this tragedy. We have 66 loved ones receiving medical care at Barau Dikko hospital,” he added.
