Eighty-five individuals lost their lives in an airstrike conducted by the Nigerian Army in Tudun Biri village, located in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. This incident stands as one of the most tragic military bombing accidents in the country.
Halima Suleiman, the spokesperson for the North-West zone of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), informed Channels Television that 66 individuals sustained injuries in the bombing incident that occurred on Sunday.
She mentioned that the number of fatalities was obtained from local authorities following the burial of the victims on Monday.
“The Northwest Zonal Office has received details from the local authorities that 85 dead bodies have so far been buried while a search is still ongoing,” NEMA said.
However, emergency officials were in ongoing discussions with community leaders to ease tensions and gain access to the village.
‘Tinubu Orders Probe’
On Tuesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed an inquiry following the army’s acknowledgment that one of its drones unintentionally targeted Tudun Biri village during residents’ celebration of a Muslim festival.
Although the army did not provide casualty figures, residents reported that 85 people, including numerous women and children, lost their lives in the incident.
“President Tinubu describes the incident as very unfortunate, disturbing, and painful, expressing indignation and grief over the tragic loss of Nigerian lives,” the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale said in a statement.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has issued a directive for a thorough investigation into Sunday’s incident, emphasizing the commitment to prioritize the security and protection of citizens in the ongoing fight against terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements.
In a statement expressing condolences to the Tudun Biri community for the tragic incident, the governor affirmed the determination of his administration to prevent a recurrence.
He ordered the immediate evacuation of the injured to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital for urgent medical attention, with the assurance that the Kaduna State Government will bear the responsibility for their treatment and associated logistics.
While urging the affected community and all state citizens to remain calm, the governor called for continued support for the security forces and the state government in combating terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements.
It was noted that Nigeria’s armed forces frequently employ air strikes in their efforts against bandit militias in both the northwest and northeast regions, where jihadist activities have persisted for over a decade.