Nigerian Army Admits Bombing Village In Kaduna, As Airforce Denies Incident

By Ayodele Oni

The Kaduna State Government has confirmed Sunday night’s bombing at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government area of the state which left several citizens dead and others injured.

Samuel Aruwan, Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State confirmed that the State Government has held a meeting with top Security Heads in the State over the incident.

However, at  the meeting with Heads of Security Agencies on Monday, in Kaduna, the Nigerian Army has owned up to the incident.

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.

The General Officer Commanding One Division Nigerian Army, Major VU Okoro explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists, that 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 at the time of this update, search-and-rescue efforts were still ongoing, as dozens of injured victims have been evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital by the Government.

Exonerating the Air Force which had earlier been accused of carrying out the operation,  Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, in a statement stated that “the news making the rounds alleging that Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 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 environs in the last 24 hours.

“Also, note that the NAF is not the only organization operating combat armed drones in the North western 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.”

“However, the Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state, was allegedly bombed by a flying object and killed locals who were attending a religious ceremony on Sunday night.”

“We were celebrating Maulud when the jet dropped the bomb, resulting in the immediate death of more than 30 people,” a local alleged.