The Nigerian Army, mistaking a village for a bandits’ camp on Sunday night, bombed a Maulud event in Kurmin Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing no fewer than 50 villagers.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 53 others seriously injured are in hospitals, receiving treatments.
However, a survivor, said over 100 were killed.
It was learned that while the event attendees were trying to rescue and take the injured to a nearby health facility and the dead for burial, the aircraft returned and dropped a second bomb, causing further damage in the village.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Air Force, NAF, has distanced itself from the bombing of the village.
This came as Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State ordered a thorough investigation into the incident to forestall future occurrence.
The governor also convened an emergency security meeting that had in attendance representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Commissioner of Police, Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, Chairman of Jama’atul Nasril-Islam, JNI, Kaduna State chapter.
Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has expressed sadness over the development.
Meanwhile, the Arewa Youth Consultatve Forum, AYCF, described the incident as a sad news and called for a thorough investigation on ‘this avoidable mistake.’
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding One Division Nigerian Army, Major-General V. Okoro, yesterday, briefed the Kaduna State Government that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently attacked affected members of the Kurmin Biri village in Kaduna State.
A resident in the affected community told journalists that when Muslims at Kurmin Biri were observing Maulud event at the Tudun Biri village in Igabi LGA of the state, a plane that hovered above the celebrants dropped a bomb which exploded and killed many.
According to him,”While we were picking the dead and trying to rush the injured to a nearby health facility, the plane returned and dropped a second bomb, causing further damage.”
Another local in the village, told Vanguard, “We were celebrating Maulud when the jet dropped the bomb, resulting in the immediate death of more than 50 people.”
Samuel Aruwan, Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, mulled compensation for the victims, adding that only the military authorities could speak on its intelligence gathering before the incident.
In a statement, yesterday, Aruwan said: “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 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 V. 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.
“Heads of security agencies, who attended the meeting include the Commissioner of Police, M.Y. Garba, and Director of DSS, Abdul Eneche. Chairman of Kaduna State Chapter of JNI, Prof. Shafi’u Abdullahi, led other religious leaders. Also present at meeting was the District Head of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris in whose domain the incident occurred,” he added.
In a statement, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, said: “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 environs in the last 24 hours.
The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Shehu, said that the affected residents had gathered to mark Maulud festivities at Tudun Biri community, Igabi LGA, when the incident occured.
Governor Sani said that he had ordered a thorough investigation to forestall future occurrences, by immediately convening an emergency security meeting that had in attendance representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Commissioner of Police, Director of DSS, Chairman of JNI Kaduna State chapter.
“I have ordered immediate investigations 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.”
Appealing for calm in the affected communities, the governor said: “Search and rescue operations in the area are ongoing. 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 and measures to be taken to lessen the pains of the families of the victims.”
The governor on behalf of the people of Kaduna State extended condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the total and speedy recovery of the injured who are currently receiving treatment at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital.
“The Kaduna State Government regrets the loss of lives and remains committed in ensuring that residents continue to live and conduct their legitimate businesses without fear,” the governor said.
Source: Vanguard
