From Lateef Taiwo
At least 31 people were feared dead when a jet dropped a bomb at Tudun Biri village in the Igabi local government area of Kaduna state during the maulud (birthday of Prophet Muhammad) celebration.
It was gathered that the incident happened on Sunday around 9:00 p.m.
According to a resident who pleaded for anonymity, they were celebrating Maulud (birth of Prophet Muhammad) when the jet dropped the bomb, resulting in the immediate death of more than 30 people.”
In a statement issued and made available to newsmen by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force commodore Edward Gabkwet, said, “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. The statement said.
“Also, note that the NAF is not the only organisation 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.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has received briefings on Sunday night’s attack which left several citizens dead and others injured.
In a meeting presided over by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, which had in attendance heads of security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, the Nigerian Army explained the circumstances which led to the unfortunate and unintended attack.
According to the statement signed and made available to newsmen by the Commissioner overseeing the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, he said, the General Officer Commanding One Division Nigerian Army, Major VU Okoro explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community.
He explained further that 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 Deputy Governor at the end of the closed door meeting, conveyed the condolences of the Government and People of Kaduna State to the families that lost their loved ones, and prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls.
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 and other religious leaders.
Also present at the meeting was the District of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris in whose domain the incident occurred.
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