The Nigerian Army said the airstrikes of villagers during a Maulud Nabiy celebration at Tudun Birin in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State were inadvertent, saying operatives were targeting terrorists.
The airstrikes killed about 30 residents on Sunday night.
In a statement on Monday, Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna State Commissioner for Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, said that the Army claimed responsibility for the unfortunate incident.
“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 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 statement read in part.
The statement explained that the deputy governor had conveyed condolences of the government and people of Kaduna State to the families that lost their loved ones at the end of the closed door meeting.
“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 statement added that: “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.”
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