Idris Dahiru, a resident of Tudun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State says that 34 of his family members were killed in the Nigerian Army’s aerial bombardment of Sunday evening, December 3, 2023.

More than 90 villagers were reportedly killed when a Nigerian Army drone struck a gathering of residents commemorating Maulud. The army has however regretted the bombing, saying it was targeted at terrorists.

Dahiru told BBC Hausa: “Our annual Maulud celebration was shattered by unexpected airstrikes. The first bomb exploded without warning, killing innocent people, including women and children, some victims were torn apart by the blast”.

“As we rushed to aid the injured, the jet returned, unleashing a second bomb, this time, many of those who had come to help were among the casualties.

“My family alone has lost 34 members in this tragedy. We have 66 loved ones receiving medical care at Barau Dikko hospital,” he added.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed 85 people killed in what is one of Nigeria’s deadliest military bombing accidents.

Halima Suleiman, the North-West zonal spokesman of the Agency, said that 66 other victims were also injured in the bombing.

She said the fatality figure was gotten from the local authorities after 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 still negotiating with community leaders to calm tensions to be able to reach the village.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday ordered an investigation into 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, also ordered a full investigation into the incident, reassuring the citizens that their security and protection will be prioritised in the sustained fight against terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements.

In a statement issued to condole with the people of Tudun Biri community over the tragic incident, the governor said his administration is determined to prevent a repeat of the incident.

While directing the immediate evacuation of the injured to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital for emergency medical attention, the governor disclosed that The Kaduna State Government would be responsible for their treatment and related logistics.

He, however, appealed to the affected community and all citizens of the state to be calm and continue to support the security forces and the state government in the battle against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements in the state.

Nigeria’s armed forces often rely on air strikes in their battle against so-called bandit militias in the northwest and northeast of the country, where jihadists have been fighting for more than a decade. (Pieced together from media reports)

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