More than 80 lives were lost in Kaduna State due to a misdirected drone strike by the Nigerian Army, devastating the community of Tudun Biri within Igabi Local Government Area.
Initially shrouded in silence and denials from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Kaduna State government finally confirmed yesterday that a Nigerian Army drone mistakenly targeted villagers, mistaking them for terrorists during a gathering to commemorate the Maulud (Prophet Muhammad’s birth).
A credible source within the local government disclosed that 83 individuals lost their lives in the incident, with 53 others sustaining injuries during the bombing around 9:00 p.m. The victims, predominantly children and women, were rushed to the Emergency Department of Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna for urgent medical attention.
In response, a meeting chaired by the deputy governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, and attended by security heads, religious leaders, and traditional chiefs, shed light on the unfortunate mistake behind the attack. General Officer Commanding One Division Nigerian Army, Major V.U. Okoro, expressed regret, attributing the tragic incident to a routine mission gone awry.
Governor Uba Sani has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the military’s drone attack and announced compensation for the victims’ families. The government also pledged free treatment for survivors at a state-owned hospital.
This incident marks the tenth misguided military strike targeting bandits and terrorists but tragically affecting innocent civilians. Previous similar incidents between September 2021 and January 2023 in states like Zamfara, Yobe, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, and Nasarawa had already claimed numerous lives.
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) urged an immediate, transparent investigation into the recent bombing, demanding proper identification of victims and substantial compensation for affected families. The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) also condemned the attack, criticizing the military for such operational errors.
