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.
“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.
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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.

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 8terrorists 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.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/army-explains-accidental-drone-attack-on-villagers/

mynd44 oam4j lalasticlala seun nlfpmod

Such expensive mistake should carry an equal penalty

In the war against terrorism, collateral damage is inevitable but when the collateral damage is becoming one too many and countless lives are lost in the process, then there is need to review the competency of Intelligence depended on by the Army.

Rip to the dead.

The victims families should be adequately compensated by the government, even though no amount of compensation would bring back the dead, but at least those left behind by the dead would not lack and have something to fall back on..

ManirBK:
Such expensive mistake should carry an equal penalty

uhmm


#military

R.I.P to the innocent and non culpable souls.
But
Na this kain "mistake" suppose happen for ipob supporters and other terrorists supporters.

Nothing wey army sabi,if na to molest innocent civilians now,their belle go sweet,just to drop bomb on terrorist dem do thrash.very stupid pple.

Aaaaarghmed:
Nothing wey army sabi,if na to molest innocent civilians now,their belle go sweet,just to drop bomb on terrorist dem do thrash.very stupid pple.

😂😂😂