Mixed reactions as accidental bomb kills, injures many in Kaduna community
…Air Force denies involvement
…Army has explained itself, claimed responsibility — Kaduna Govt
By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
Mixed reactions have trailed an accidental bombing of Tudun Biri village in Igabi local Government Area, (LGA) Kaduna state by the Nigerian Army on Monday.
As at the time of filing this report, Nigerian NewsDirect confirmed that over 80 persons were victims of the bombing.
While the Nigerian Air Force denied its involvement, later confirmation from official sources established the fact of the event.
The Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, Samuel Aruwan In a press statement personally signed and made available to Journalists in Kaduna on Monday said the incident happened on Sunday night, while the Army was in a routine mission against terrorists in the area.
He explained that search-and-rescue efforts are still ongoing, as dozens of injured victims have been evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital by the government.
“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, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, which had in attendance heads of security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, the Nigerian Army explained the circumstances which led to the unfortunate and unintended attack,” he said.
According to him, the General Officer Commanding One Division Nigerian Army, Major 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 of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris in whose domain the incident occurred,” he said.
Earlier reports mentioned that scores of villagers in Tudun Biri in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State were killed after a bomb was allegedly dropped by a military jet during a Maulud celebration. No fewer than 30 residents were numbered to have been killed in the incident which took place around 9pm on Sunday.
Earlier, the Nigerian Air Force denied responsibility for the attack. According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Commodore Edward Gabkwet, NAF has not carried out any operations in Kaduna in the last 24 hours.
The statement read, ”The news making the rounds alleging that Nigerian Air Force aircraft accidentally killed innocent civilians in Kaduna is false.
“Please be informed that the NAF has not carried out any air operations within Kaduna State and its environs in the last 24 hours.
“Also, note that the NAF is not the only organisation operating combat-armed drones in the Northwestern region of Nigeria.
“It is also important to ensure that due diligence is always exhausted by the media before going to press with unverified and unconfirmed reports.”
…Army’s wrong target regrettable — CAN
Reacting to the sad incident, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commiserated with victims and families of those who lost their lives in the air strike.
In a press statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday, the CAN Chairman, Kaduna state, Rev. John Joseph Hayab said that the wrong target by the Nigerian Army is not intentional and regrettable.
While encouraging Muslim Ummah and the good people of the Tudun Biri area to accept the ill-fated incident not as a deliberate act, but as an error that the Nigerian Army has acknowledged and showed regret, Hayab said that the incidence happened at a time when the security agencies and Nigerians alike are working tirelessly to ensure that “our society is free from criminal elements that go about killing, abducting, cattle rustling, and destroying property of innocent citizens.”
He said, “The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State chapter is saddened by the sad news of a wrong target bombing carried out by the Nigerian Army which occurred in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government area of Kaduna State. The situation occurred when the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community leaving several citizens dead and many others injured.
“CAN wishes to commiserate with the Muslim Ummah as many of the affected were said to be celebrating the Maulud, which is an unfortunate incident.
“CAN sends its heart-warm condolences to the families who lost loved ones, the Tudun Biri community, and the good people of Igabi Local Government, the Emir of Zazzau, and the government of the state. While CAN prays for the repose of the souls of those who died in the incident, she prays for a speedy recovery for receiving treatment due to injuries sustained.
“The wrong target bombing is most unfortunate, especially as it comes at a time when the security agencies and Nigerians alike are working tirelessly to ensure that our society is free from criminal elements that go about killing, abducting, cattle rustling, and destroying property of innocent citizens.
“Therefore, CAN encourages the Muslim Ummah and the good people of the Tudun Biri area to accept the ill-fated incident not as a deliberate act but as an error that the Nigerian Army has acknowledged and shows regret. It is our prayer that such an unfortunate incident is not repeated in the future, whether in Kaduna state or any part of the country.
“CAN will continue to pray for the government at all levels and the security personnel that God Almighty will give them the wisdom and understanding to end insecurity and support the maintenance of peaceful coexistence so that citizens will go about their legitimate businesses.
“CAN calls on the security agencies not to relent in the fight against insurgency and prays that society will soon be freed from criminal elements in the country,” he said.
…Amnesty International condemns attack
In a statement the international body said it strongly condemns air strikes by the Nigerian Army launched on Tudun Biri village in Igabi LGA of Kaduna state.
“Over 120 civilians have been killed and dozens injured. Launching air raids is not a legitimate law enforcement method by anyone’s standard.
“The air strike on the village community while holding a religious gathering on Sunday 3 Dec. 2023 must be investigated. Such reckless use of deadly force is unlawful and lays bare the Nigerian military’s shocking disregard for the lives of those it supposedly exists to protect.
“The airstrikes on Tudun Biri village are an unlawful and excessive force on a catastrophic scale. It is yet another tragic example where Nigeria’s armed forces are found applying deadly military tactics to law enforcement situations.
“On January 24, 2023, Nigerian military airstrikes killed over 40 civilians in Doma LGA of Nasarawa state,” the statement read.
…Reactions by Nigerians
A former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami speaking via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle said, “Around 150 innocent civilians, including women, children, & others, were bombed to death by our own army of the Federal Government in Kaduna today. Our heartfelt condolences to their families. Those behind it are to be brought to justice, as injustice anywhere is a threat to justice.”
Femi Fani Kayode reacting said, “150 innocent civilians, including women & children, bombed to death by their own Army in Kaduna today. This is horrendous. It is mass murder & genocide & those behind it must be brought to justice.”
@donkejo on X (formerly Twitter) said: “Randomly killing 30 villagers in Kaduna is crazier than taking Toke Makinwa and Randos to Dubai but guess which one we will continue to focus on. Civilians killed, no probe no accountability.”
“The unfortunate bombing of Kaduna villagers by the Nigerian Army last night has exposed one shocking detail, the Army operates armed UAVs (UCAV). This is totally wrong, only the Air Force should operate Armed drones and Army can have UAVs for only reconnaissance purposes. Shocking.”
