The General Officer Commanding One Division Nigerian Army, Major VU Okoro, has explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently killed villagers Tudun Biri community in Igabi local government area of Kaduna State penultimate Sunday.
According to some inhabitants of the impacted village, the military attack murdered around 30 of their relatives.
The Nigeria Airforce (NAF) through a press statement by Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information, had earlier dismissed the news, saying, “The news making the rounds alleging that Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft accidentally killed innocent civilians in Kaduna is false”.
However, receiving briefings on the killings, Kaduna State government said it was informed by the GOC at a security meeting that the killings was unintended.
A statement on Monday by the Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, Samuel Aruwan 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.
“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.
“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 oth er religious leaders. Also present at meeting was the District of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris in whose domain the occurred.”