The Army yesterday apologised for its error in bombing worshippers in Kaduna State on Sunday night.
A routine air strike by the Army intended to attack terrorists hit some civilians during a religious celebration at Tudun Biri village, Afaka ward of Rigasa District in Igabi Local Government Area.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered a thorough probe to prevent a recurrence as Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani did on Tuesday.
The President also sympathised with the victims.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said 85 persons were killed.
The Northwest zonal spokesman, Halima Suleiman, said 66 others were injured.
Northern States Governors’ Forum demanded a comprehensive investigation, describing the error as “a heartbreaking tragedy.”
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Ja’amatul Nasiru Islam (JNI) and the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, mourned the victims and called for a probe.
The Army expressed regrets over the error, describing it as “a very disheartening occurrence.”
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.- Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, tendered the apology when he visited the community.
He was accompanied by principal staff officers from the Army Headquarters and the General Officer Commanding, One Division, Maj.-Gen. Valentine Okoro.
Lagbaja, who commiserated with the victims, donated N10 million to the survivors after visiting them at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna.
He prayed at the deceased mass grave site in the village, which is about five kilometres west of the Kaduna International Airport.
He told reporters: “On Sunday, while the Nigerian Army UAV (Unarmed Aerial Vehicle) platforms were conducting armed reconnaissance around the vicinity of Riyawa, Ruma, the drones observed movement of people suspected to be bandits.
“Having trailed them for some time, the decision was taken to strike based on the observation of some tactics usually employed by bandits.
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“Unfortunately, the report we got thereafter revealed that it was innocent civilians in Tudun Biri that the drone carried out the strike on.
“We have already set up an inquiry. The enquiry committee will ensure a holistic review and recommendations that will be worthwhile going forward.”
He said the Nigerian Army would provide support to the community to alleviate their suffering and sought the residents’ support with useful information.
District Head of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris, said over 80 people were buried.
He also confirmed that the environment was infested by bandits.
He urged the Army to continue doing its best in protecting lives and properties while hoping that victims and their families will be compensated.
In a statement by the Army spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the military said Tudun Biri and adjoining villages were infested with bandits.
He said: “Troops were carrying out aerial patrols when they observed a group of people and wrongly analysed and misinterpreted their pattern of activities to be similar to that of the bandits, before the drone strike.”
He said the COAS was in Tudun Biri to convey sincere regrets and unreserved apologies on behalf of the Nigerian Army to the District Head and people of the community, as well as the government and people of Kaduna.
According to the spokesman, the findings will “guide the Nigerian Army in meticulously and professionally seeking and applying lasting solutions to identified lapses and deficiencies in both the human and artificial intelligence variables that will forestall future recurrence”.
The Defence Headquarters, in a statement by the Director of Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) deployed to the area noticed the movement of terrorists.
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He said: “On December 3 at about 2200hrs and based on untoward activities by terrorists, the Nigerian Army UAV detachment observed movement of terrorists at Ligarma, a terrorist-infested area of Kaduna.
“Aerial surveillance captured the movement of groups of persons synonymous with the terrorist tactics and modus operandi.
“The observed advance of the terrorists that were gathered posted a threat to key infrastructure within reach of the untoward activities.
“Accordingly, the threat was eliminated to prevent the terrorist from unleashing terror on innocent civilians.”
According to Buba, terrorists often embed themselves within the civilian population.
“Nevertheless, the Nigerian military does its best at all times to distinguish between civilians and terrorists,” he said.
The high command said the military views every civilian death in the course of operations as a tragedy, with extensive measures taken to avoid them.
“One such measure taken by the military is to continually give precise instructions to communities.
“For instance, communities are to always alert troops of their activities particularly when such a community is known to be infested with terrorists and their sympathisers.
“These instructions are intended to enable the military to distinguish between friendly and untoward activities,” the DHQ said
It added that the military would continue to operate in line with international law as it always has done.
“It will also continue its determined and cautious progress in eradicating terrorists from our land.
“Accordingly, we will continue to find innovative solutions to the challenges faced in the conduct of operations.”
‘I lost 34 family members’
A resident, Idris Dahiru, said 34 of his family members were killed.
Dahiru, in an interview with BBC Hausa, said: “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.”
Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, said the Armed Forces will not relent in fighting criminal elements and adversaries.
Speaking when he visited the victims, he said: “We are not going to relent; we must give those terrorists a bloody nose.
“We will keep fighting them till we succeed in the course of ensuring security and safety of the lives and properties of the citizens in the entire country.”
Tinubu order probe
President Tinubu ordered a swift and thorough investigation into the bombing.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President sympathised with the families of the victims.
It reads: “President Bola Tinubu sympathises with the families of victims, the people and the government of Kaduna State over the bombing mishap.
“President Tinubu describes the incident as very unfortunate, disturbing, and painful, expressing indignation and grief over the tragic loss of Nigerian lives.
“The President directs a thorough and full-fledged investigation into the incident and calls for calm while the authorities look diligently into the mishap.
“The President also directs swift and comprehensive medical attention for surviving victims while praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased.”
Northern Governors demands probe
Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, demanded a comprehensive investigation.
He asked the Nigerian Army to wage war against banditry and terrorism with the highest level of professionalism and care.
Yahaya, who is the Gombe State governor, made the NGF’s position known in a statement through the Director-General (Press Affairs), Ismaila Uba Misilli.
The statement reads: “Governor Yahaya extended his condolences to the government and people of Kaduna State during this profoundly distressing time, describing the loss of innocent lives as a heartbreaking tragedy.
“The governor emphasised that while the fight against banditry and terrorism remains crucial, it must be executed with the highest level of professionalism and care to prevent such heart-wrenching accidents.”
Yahaya asked for an immediate probe.
“He strongly called for a comprehensive and thorough investigation into the unfortunate incident.
“It is imperative for the authorities to take prompt and necessary measures to not only address the immediate concerns of the victims and the affected community but also to prevent any future occurrences.
“In these trying times, Governor Yahaya assures the affected families and the community of Tudun Biri as well as the people of Kaduna of the support and commitment of the Northern Governors to ensuring justice, healing, and security in the region.”
Probe calls grow
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Ja”amatul Nasiru Islam (JNI) and the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, also joined the probe call.
In their separate statements, they expressed sadness over the attack.
ACF, in a statement by its Secretary General, Prof Tukur Muhammad Baba, said: “ACF is perplexed and deeply disturbed that such an operation could be contemplated and executed in this densely populated area, suggesting an inexcusable, scandalous and plausibly incompetent failure of intelligence.
“It is indeed trite to say that sound intelligence is the fulcrum of military operations.
“While the army authorities have come out with the usual platitude of ‘investigating’ the matter, there is a need to be more forthcoming on the details, even if to douse the feeling in many quarters that there was an initial attempt to downplay the incident except for the vigilance of some members of the public.
“ACF deeply mourns and hereby condoles all families of the dead. We pray that God Almighty grants the dead peace. ACF also prays for quick and full recovery for those injured.”
Jama’atul Nasiru Islam, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, called for a full investigation.
A statement by JNI Secretary General, Prof Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, said: “It is with heavy hearts that we express our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families, as well as the loved ones of the deceased victims, and we fervently pray for the swift recovery and healing of those injured.
“Nevertheless, the purported bombing of Muslims faithful by the supposed aerial patrol, resulting in the reported loss of no fewer than 100 innocent lives is a reprehensible and deeply condemnable act.”
Former Emir Sanusi called for a transparent investigation and adequate compensation for the families.
He said: “This unfortunate incident which led to the loss of dozens of lives and serious injury to scores of others has left the entire country in shock.
“It is, however, consoling to note that the military authorities have accepted full responsibility for this event. This is a positive change from previous instances in past administrations of callous attitude of denial.
“We also note that the government of Kaduna State is working with agencies to support the injured and assist families of the victims.
“On behalf of the entire leadership of the Tijanniya order in Nigeria, I express my condolences to all those who have lost loved ones in this incident and my prayers that almighty Allah accepts their shahada.
“I also pray for a speedy recovery of the wounded. I hereby call on all members of Tijanniya and indeed all citizens to remain calm and persevere in this trying period which is a test from almighty Allah.
“I call on everyone to give full cooperation to the authorities as they act to manage this distressing situation.
“I call on the authorities to ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out, the process and results of which should be made transparent to the public with appropriate compensation to victims and steps taken to avoid a reoccurrence. May Allah bless our country Nigeria and grant us peace, Amin.”
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the February 25 election, Atiku Abubakar, said it was an “unfortunate incident”.
“The incidence of miscalculated air strikes is assuming a worrisome dimension in the country.
“We need to develop counterinsurgency strategies that will insulate the civilian population from tragic incidents of this nature.
“I call on the authorities to launch a thorough investigation into this tragedy to avert future occurrences,” he said.
