The Kaduna State Government has disclosed that the Nigerian Army has accepted responsibility for a tragic incident in which a bomb allegedly dropped by a military jet resulted in the deaths of at least 30 villagers in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State during a Maulud celebration on Sunday.
Earlier, the Nigerian Air Force had denied any involvement in the attack.
However, the Overseeing Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, stated that Major General VU Okoro, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation Whirl Punch, acknowledged that the army was on a routine mission against terrorists when the unintended incident occurred.
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During a meeting presided over by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, attended by heads of security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, Major General Okoro explained the circumstances surrounding the unintended attack.
The Deputy Governor conveyed the government’s condolences to the affected families and prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls.
Search-and-rescue efforts were ongoing, and dozens of injured victims had been evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital by the state government.
The meeting aimed to address the situation and provide information to the affected community.
Heads of security agencies, religious leaders, and traditional leaders attended the closed-door meeting to discuss the incident and its aftermath.
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