The Kaduna State Government has said that the bomb that struck Tudun Biri, a community within Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was caused by a Nigerian Army drone that mistook the villagers for terrorists.
The government has also said that the victims of the strike will be compensated.
In a meeting that was held by the Deputy Governor of Kaduna, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, and also attended by 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 VU Okoro, said that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission which it had launched against terrorists, but it unfortunately affected the members of the community.
At the end of the meeting, Sabuwa offered condolences from the government and the people of Kaduna State to the families that lost their loved ones, and prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls.
Search and rescue operations are still ongoing, as the government has evacuated dozens of injured victims have been evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital.
A security source, who chose to remain anonymous, reported that the Nigerian Army and the Kaduna state government have met with elders of the village to plead with the family of the victims, also reporting that the affected persons will be compensated.
While it was earlier reported that the attack was perpetrated by a Nigeria Air Force aircraft, the NAF had earlier released a statement to say that they were not involved in the tragedy as they have not carried out any air operations within Kaduna during the time frame of the attack.
It was reported that about 30 people died during the incident on Sunday, around 9:00 pm. The residents of the village said that the bomb struck while the villagers gathered to commemorate Maulud in the village.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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