•NAF jet
A probe was launched yesterday into Sunday night’s bombing of worshippers in Kaduna State.
A routine air strike by the Army intended to attack terrorists hit some civilians during a religious celebration.
The Army and Kaduna government confirmed the incident, reports The Nation.
It occurred at Tudun Biri village, Afaka ward of Rigasa District in Igabi Local Government Area.
Many people were killed and a host of others were left injured.
A video showed many bodies scattered around the bombing site.
Neither the Army nor the Kaduna State government gave the casualty figures.
But an eyewitness said no fewer than 80 people died.
A tweet by Bashir Ahmad, a former special assistant to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari gave the figure of the dead at 126.
Ahmad added: “@HQNigerianArmy, Nigerians are waiting to hear from you how this ‘mistake’ will be corrected and what measures you’d put in place to prevent a recurrence.”
The situation led to the summoning of a security meeting yesterday by the Kaduna government.
It was presided over by Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe and attended by General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Maj.Gen. Valentine Okoro.
After the meeting, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the Army admitted that an error occurred during the routine campaign against terrorists in the area.
Aruwan stated: “The Kaduna State government has received briefings on Sunday night’s attack, which left several citizens dead and others injured.
“Maj.Gen. 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 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.”
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said: “I received with shock news of the tragic incident at Tudun Biri village, Afaka ward of Rigasa District of Igabi Local Government.
“Muslim faithful observing Maulud celebration were mistakenly killed and many others injured, following a military drone attack targeting terrorists and bandits.”
He added: “The state government has dispatched top government officials to the area to assess the situation, reach out to the families of the victims and advise the government on the immediate actions/measures to be taken to lessen the pains of the families of the victims.
“I have ordered an immediate investigation into the tragic incident.
“We are determined to prevent a repeat of this tragedy and reassure our people that their protection would be prioritised in the sustained fight against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
“I have also directed the immediate evacuation of the injured to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital for emergency medical attention.
“The government will be responsible for their treatment and related logistics.
“I appeal to the affected community and all citizens to keep calm and continue to support the security forces and the state government in our battle against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in Kaduna State.
“I am in consultation with the security forces to ensure that such mistakes are avoided in future operations.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kaduna State, I wish to express our heartfelt sympathies to the families who lost their loved ones.
“May Allah in his mercy grant all of the victims Aljannah Firdaus, and their families the fortitude to bear these irreparable losses.
“Our heartfelt commiserations also go to those who sustained injuries. We wish them a speedy recovery.”
The initial reaction was that the bomb was dropped by a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jet, but NAF debunked it.
NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said: “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 organisation operating combat armed drones in the Northwestern region of Nigeria.”
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) described the incident as unfortunate.
Kaduna State chapter chairman, Rev. John Hayab, said CAN was saddened by the news.
He said: “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, 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, he prays for a speedy recovery for those 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.
In a statement by its President, Yerima Shettima, AYCF said the accident was one mistake too many.
“We are calling on the government to carry out a thorough investigation on this avoidable ‘mistake’ if intelligence gathering is anything to go by.
“Perpetrators of this so-called mistake must be made to explain beyond reasonable doubts how religious people carrying out religious activities could be mistaken for terrorists.
“While we commiserate with families of those who were killed, we pray God to give speedy recovery to the injured.
“Enough of these unwarranted killings of innocent people by those who should protect them,” AYCF said.
NEF was worried about the safety of civilians in conflict zones.
It called for a thorough investigation into the incident to identify any systemic failures, gaps in training, or inadequate protocols that may have contributed to the accident.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, NEF said: “The ‘accidental’ bombing by the Nigerian military during an operation against bandits in a Kaduna village is a matter of serious concern regarding the safety and well-being of civilians in conflict zones.
“The Forum demands a thorough investigation into the incident…
“NEF understands that the Kaduna State government had risen to the occasion and also pledged that the victims of the strike will be compensated.
“However, beyond compensation for the victims, a thorough investigation is essential to ensure justice for the affected civilians, prevent future occurrences, and uphold the principles of human rights and international humanitarian law.
“By identifying the causes and circumstances surrounding the incident, the investigation can determine whether any negligence or misconduct occurred, holding those responsible accountable.
“This will provide a sense of closure and compensation to the victims, fostering trust between the military and the civilian population.
“Conducting a thorough investigation into the accidental bombing is essential to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
“By analysing the circumstances that led to the tragedy, the investigation can identify any systemic failures, gaps in training, or inadequate protocols that may have contributed to the accident.
“Armed with this knowledge, the military can implement necessary reforms, such as improved coordination, enhanced intelligence gathering, and stricter adherence to rules of engagement.
“These measures will minimise the risk of accidental bombings and protect civilian lives during military operations.
“An investigation aligns with the principles of human rights and international humanitarian law. These legal frameworks emphasise the protection of civilians during armed conflicts and require states to conduct impartial investigations into alleged violations.
“NEF condoles the families of the affected civilians as well the Kaduna State government for the unfortunate and regrettable incident.”
