A resident of Tudun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Idris Dahiru, has disclosed losing 34 members of his family to the Nigerian Army’s aerial accidental bombing that happened Sunday evening.
The bombing described as a mistake by the army left fewer than 85 villagers dead.
Dahiru is quoted by The Punch as saying as with other residents of the affected communities, people were celebrating Maulud, an Islamic event when the bombs were dropped by the military, a development that triggered both local and international condemnation.
The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Hadiza Balarabe, had visited Islamic clerics in the state to douse tension, as the Governor of the state, Senator Uba Sani, ordered a thorough investigation into the bombing to forestall future occurrences.
While speaking with BBC Hausa, Dahiru said the airstrikes disrupted their celebration and this led to the killing of many.
“Our annual Maulud celebration was shattered by unexpected airstrikes. The first bomb exploded without warning, killing innocent people, including women and children, some victims were torn apart by the blast.”
“As we rushed to aid the injured, the jet returned, unleashing a second bomb, this time, many of those who had come to help were among the casualties.
“My family alone has lost 34 members in this tragedy. We have 66 loved ones receiving medical care at Barau Dikko Hospital”, he we
However, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has apologised to the relatives of victims of the accidental bombing that occurred at the Tudun Biri community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday.
The army chief described the incident as “very disheartening”, ordering an investigation into the incident, adding that the probe would allow the service to avert such situations in the future.
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