Following the unfortunate incident that claimed the lives of over 30 villagers during a Maulud Nabiy celebration at Tudun Biriin in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the Nigerian Army on Monday claimed responsibility for the bombing of villagers.
The army, while regretting the unfortunate incident, said the airstrikes were inadvertent and that the operatives were targeting terrorists.
According to Samuel Aruwan, Overseeing Commissioner,
Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, in a statement on Monday, the Army claimed responsibility for the unfortunate incident.
“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 and 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 VU Okoro, explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community,” the statement read in part.
It further stated that the deputy governor, at the end of the closed-door meeting, conveyed condolences to the government and people of Kaduna State to the families that lost their loved ones.
“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 other religious leaders. Also present at the meeting was the District of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris, in whose domain the incident occurred,” the statement added.