December 04, (THEWILL) – Amid controversy over the bombing of villagers in Kaduna State on Sunday night, the Nigerian Army has claimed responsibility for the airstrike.
THEWILL earlier reported that at least 30 villagers celebrating Maulud on Sunday, had been killed by an airstrike on Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State.
While the Nigerian Airforce denied reports that its fighter jet carried out the accidental bombing, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said on Monday afternoon that the Nigerian army has claimed responsibility for the unfortunate incident.
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.
A statement by the Commissioner read: “The General Officer Commanding 1 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.
“Search-and-rescue efforts were still ongoing as dozens of injured victims had been evacuated to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital by the State Government.
“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 1 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 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.
“The heads of security agencies who attended the meeting included the State Commissioner of Police, MY Garba; Director of the Department of State Services, Abdul Eneche; the 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.”
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