There was widespread outrage on Monday over the accidental bombing of Tudun Biri in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State by the Nigerian Army on Sunday, which left no fewer than 85 villagers dead.
Residents of the affected communities said they were celebrating Mawlid, an Islamic event commemorating the birth of Prophet Muhammad, SAW, when the bombs were dropped by the military, a development that triggered both local and international condemnation.
The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Hadiza Balarabe, had to visit Islamic clerics in the state to douse tension, as the Governor of the state, Senator Uba Sani, ordered a thorough investigation into the bombing to forestall future occurrences.
Kaduna govt speaks
The state government said the Nigerian Army claimed responsibility for dropping the bomb on Tudun Biri that killed scores of villagers during a Mawlid Nabiyy celebration.
The Punch reported that no fewer than 85 residents (while Daily Trust said over 90 residents) were killed in the incident which took place on Sunday night at about 9pm.
The Overseeing Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, and Force Commander Operation Whirl Punch, Maj-Gen VU Okoro, admitted that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists when the incident happened.
This was contained in a statement released by the commissioner to journalists shortly after the Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, met with Islamic clerics, traditional rulers, heads of security agencies, where “the Nigerian Army explained the circumstances which led to the unfortunate and unintended attack.”
The meeting was held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna on Monday.
The commissioner said, “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.”
He added that search-and-rescue efforts were still ongoing, as dozens of injured victims during the incident had been evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital by the state government.
He also quoted the deputy governor as having commiserated with the victims’ families, while praying for the repose of the victims’ souls.
The statement stated that among the heads of security agencies who attended the meeting include the Commissioner of Police, MY Garba; and Director of the Department of State Services, Abdul Eneche; Chairman of the Kaduna State Chapter of Jam’atu Nasril Islam, Prof. Shafi’u Abdullahi, who led other religious leaders as well as the District Head of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris, in whose domain the incident occurred.
On Monday, no fewer than 85 persons were killed by a miscalculated airstrike from the Nigerian Army’s drone.
The, army, has however regretted the bombing, saying it was targeted at terrorists.
I lost 34 family members to bombing – Resident
Idris Dahiru, a resident of Tudun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State says that 34 of his family members were killed in the Nigerian Army’s aerial bombardment Sunday evening.
He said, “Our annual Mawlid 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.
Kaduna village bombing disturbing, says Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday described the accidental bombing as “very unfortunate, disturbing, and painful,” expressing grief over the loss of lives.
This was as he sympathised with the families of the victims, the people and the government of Kaduna State.
Tinubu’s grief was conveyed in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled ‘President Tinubu condoles with Kaduna State government, families of victims over bombing mishap.’
It read in part, “President Bola Tinubu sympathises with the families of victims, the people and government of Kaduna State over the bombing mishap in a village at Tundun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of the state.
“President Tinubu describes the incident as very unfortunate, disturbing, and painful, expressing indignation and grief over the tragic loss of Nigerian lives.”
Atiku seeks probe of Kaduna village bombing
Also speaking, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the February 25 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called on concerned authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the accidental bombing.
The former Vice President of Nigeria made the call while expressing his condolences to the families and victims of the accident in a statement on his official X handle on Tuesday.
Lamenting the sad incident, Atiku said, “I am grieved by the news of the drone airstrike that killed dozens of people and left scores of others with various degrees of injury in the Tudun Biri community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“Ironically, the victims of this unfortunate incident were celebrating the Mawlid anniversary. The incidence of miscalculated air strikes is assuming a worrisome dimension in the country. We need to develop counterinsurgency strategies that will insulate the civilian population from tragic incidents of this nature.
“I call on the authorities to launch a thorough investigation into this tragedy to avert future occurrences.”
While praying for the repose of souls lost in the incident, Atiku called for proper medical attention for survivors and assistance to families of the dead.
He said, “Meanwhile, no resource should be spared in medical attention to the injured and assistance to the families of the dead. I pray that the Almighty Allah comforts the bereaved families and grants the dead eternal peace.”
JNI consoles victims, warns against reoccurrence
The Kaduna State chapters of Jama’atul Nasril Islam and Fitiyanul Islam on Monday consoled the victims and the Kaduna State government over the incident.
The Kaduna State Chairman of JNI, Professor Muhammad Shafi’u Abdullahi, said, “Not less than 50 people were killed in that incident. It was really an unfortunate incident. At the meeting, we were able to advise the government, especially the military on their operations.
“It has been happening in some states so it shouldn’t be repeated state by state, if not, people may have different interpretations. Such operations should be thoroughly done. We advised the security agencies against reoccurrence,” he said.
Kaduna State Chairman of Fityanul Islam, Sheikh Rabiu Abdullahi described the incident as destined to happen and condoled the families of the deceased and injured.
“We also hope that the state government will foot the bills of the injured as promised,” he said.
He said “Fighter jets are owned by the government and the government claimed it was a mistake that happened. We agree that the victims were not the target but it happened. So we caution the government to always be careful each time they want to carry out such operations to avoid further recurrence.”
CAN urges Muslim Ummah to accept ill-fated incident as error
The CAN Chairman in Kaduna State, Rev. John Hayab, said the wrong target was most unfortunate, as he encouraged the Muslim community (Ummah) and the people of Tudun Biri to accept the ill-fated incident not as a deliberate act but as an error that the Nigerian Army had acknowledged and shown regret.
“CAN will continue to pray for the government at all levels and the security personnel that God Almighty will give hem 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.
“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,” he stated.
On his part, the AYCF National President, Shettima Yerima, called on the government to carry out a thorough investigation into the matter, adding that the killing was unacceptable.
He said the perpetrators of the 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 this unwarranted killing of innocent people by those who should protect them,” he declared.
Amnesty International
Amnesty International called on the Federal Government to overhaul the Nigerian Army over the incessant airstrike occuring in some states across the country.
This was made known by an official of the organisation Mr. Isah Sanusi, in a phone conversation with The PUNCH.
Isah noted that although the organisation would not sue the army, the government and its military must put their house in order.
“We do not go into matters like this unless it is considered of utmost importance. However, we condemn the bombing and killing of civilians in Tudun Biri, a village in Kaduna State on Sunday, November 3, 2023.
“Nigerian authorities should carry out a thorough investigation into the incident and compensate the families of the victims because this is not the first time it is happening.”
Isah also called on the government and other partners who train the military to ensure they undergo sound training to avoid further occurrence in the future.
A former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, via his X handle lamented, as he said, “Haba! You can’t kill 126 innocent souls, and civilians, and just call it a mistake. I can’t even remember a time when the troops killed such a number of terrorists anywhere in this country at once.
“@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.”
A former lawmaker, Patrick Obahiagbon, said via his X handle. “This is profoundly calamitous and lugubrious. I extend my ardent condolences to the grieving families who have lost their cherished
kin. I also convey fervent wishes for the expeditious instauration and recuperation of the injured. Amen.”
One Dr TAMS@Dr Tambari, via his X handle, said, “Although mistakes are not completely inevitable in the operations of the military, it is saddening that a costly mistake such as this would be made. The military ought to up their game to forestall further occurrences.”
A former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, via his X handle said, “These bombs should be dropped on terrorists and not civilians.”
One Ifeanyichukwu, @iffeanyichukwu, noted via his X handle, that “the army chief should resign. He is no more Nigerian than the Nigerians that lost their lives in that ugly incident.”
Another Nigerian, Abdul Mohammed, @AbdulRasheedDM1, via his X handle, said, “The so-called ‘unintended attacks’ happened several times in Maiduguri, one of which an IDP camp was
attacked and a Zamfara community as well. When a mistake persists, then it is
no longer a mistake, it is carelessness and lack of professionalism.”
Another X user, Ibnjariyr, @ibnjariyr, said, “Sincere investigation should be done. We are not Cows.”
Sources: The Punch and Daily Trust
