The Nigerian Army has accepted responsibility for the raid on Sunday night in Tudun Biri village, Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State, which killed several people and injured many more.
The Nigerian Air Force was first blamed for the incident, but later recanted.
The Nigerian Army, on the other hand, accepted responsibility this Monday afternoon during a meeting called by the Kaduna State Government and presided over by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe. The Nigerian Army detailed the circumstances that led to “the unfortunate and unintended attack” during a conference attended by heads of security agencies, religious and traditional authorities.
Major VU Okoro, the General Officer Commanding One Division of the Nigerian Army, claimed that the Army was on a routine mission against terrorists when it mistakenly affected people of the community.
According to Samuel Aruwan, Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, at the end of the closed-door meeting, the deputy governor conveyed the condolences of the Government and People of Kaduna State to the families who lost loved ones, and prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls.
“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 said.
Even though the statement did not disclose the exact casualty figure and the injured, some survivors at the Kaduna State Teaching Hospital said over 80 worshippers lost their lives and over 50 survivors were injured, most of whom were receiving treatment at the Teaching Hospital.
Danjuma Salisu, a survivor, said:
“We heard a loud sound of an incoming aircraft, the next thing we hard was a loud sound of a bomb. Then we saw several bodies over 80 dead with body parts littered everywhere. It’s a horrific experience, but we thank God for surviving with injuries only.
“Someone gave a wrong security tips to the military that bandits gathered to launch attack. We are not bandits as you can see. We are Islamic worshippers who gathered to celebrate Maulud Nabih.”
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.