The Nigerian Army has claimed responsibility for the bombing of villagers during a Maulud Nabiy celebration at Tudun Biriin in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The army, however, said the airstrikes were inadvertent, saying operatives were targeting terrorists.
About 30 residents were feared dead in the airstrikes on Sunday night.
Samuel Aruwan, Overseeing Commissioner,
Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, said in a statement on Monday that the Army claimed responsibility for the unfortunate incident.
The General Officer Commanding One Division Nigerian Army, Major VU Okoro claimed responsibility of attacks at the security meeting, chaired by the deputy governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Sabuwa Balarabe.
The GOC explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community.
Though details of the incident remain sketchy, preliminary reports indicate that about 30 people died during the incident on Sunday, around 9:00 pm.
Residents told Daily Trust that the bomb struck while the villagers gathered to commemorate Maulud in the village.
“They were celebrating Maulud (birth of Prophet Muhammad) when the jet dropped the bomb, resulting in the immediate death of more than 30 people,” a resident said.
A statement by Kaduna state government shortly after its security meeting, had the Army claiming responsibility of the attacks.
A statement by the Commissioner, overseeing the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan said the 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 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 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 other religious leaders. Also present at meeting was the District of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris in whose domain the incident occurred.
Samuel Aruwan
Overseeing Commissioner,
, Kaduna State.