Many Kaduna Villagers Feared Killed In Air Strike
..NAF Denies Carrying Out Bomb Attack In Kaduna Village
..Army Takes Responsibility For Air Strike In Kaduna — Commissioner
The Nigerian Army has taken responsibility for Sunday’s Air Strike that left many villagers killed and several others injured at Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State.
Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said this at the end of an emergency security meeting on Monday.
Salient Times had earlier reported that on Sunday night while the villagers were marking the Maulud celebration to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad, an unmanned aerial vehicle bombed some parts of the community, killing a yet-to-be ascertained number of individuals.
Following the incident, the Kaduna state government convened an emergency security meeting chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, on Monday.
It was at the meeting, which was attended by heads of security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, and representatives of the Tudun Biri community, that core details regarding the incident were revealed.
Addressing journalists after the security meeting held behind closed doors, Aruwan explained that the bombing of the villagers was unintended and unfortunate.
The Commissioner explained that the troops of the Nigerian Army were on a routine mission against terrorists in the area when the operation accidentally affected members of the community.
He also disclosed that search and rescue operations were ongoing, while those injured were rushed to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Many Kaduna Villagers Feared Killed In Air Strike
Earlier Salient Times had reported that many have been reportedly killed in an air strike allegedly carried out by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The incident is said to have occurred around 9pm on Sunday, when villagers gathered for Maulud celebration.
Although the Air force is yet to confirm the attack, a source in the community told our correspondent that the villagers were mistakenly bombed in the air strike with the intention that they were bandits who were migrating from neighboring Zamfara State to camp in Tudun Biri village.
The source further stated that the incident has created panic within the area as many residents have fled from the community to neighbouring villages for fear of being caught in more bomb attacks.
NAF Denies Carrying Out Bomb Attack In Kaduna Village
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) earlier on Monday morning has denied being involved in a bombing that left many villagers killed at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Sources from Kaduna had in an earlier report alleged that a jet operated by NAF had dropped a bomb around 9pm on Sunday, when villagers gathered for Maulud celebration, leaving several casualties.
Reacting to this claim, the Air Force through its spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, noted that NAF has not carried out any air operation in Kaduna within the last 24 hours.
Commodore Gabkwet further asserted that NAF is not the only Service operating combat armed drones within the region.
Below is a full statement from the Nigerian Air Force.
THE NAF HAS NOT UNDERTAKEN ANY AIR OPERATIONS IN KADUNA STATE IN THE LAST 24 HOURS
The news making the rounds alleging that Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft accidentally killed innocent civilians in Kaduna is false. Please be informed that the NAF has not carried out any air operations within Kaduna State and environs in the last 24 hours. Also, note that the NAF is not the only organization operating combat armed drones in the North western region of Nigeria.
It is also important to ensure that due diligence is always exhausted by the media before going to press with unverified and unconfirmed reports.
Thank you.
Edward Gabkwet
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
3 December 2023
