Army Bombing: 120 Dead in Tudun Biri

Survivors of the accidental bombing in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, have revealed that the Nigerian Army bombed the community twice during a religious celebration, not just once, as previously reported. The accidental air strike, intended to target terrorists, occurred on Sunday night during a Maulud celebration, leading to casualties among civilians. The death toll has now risen to 120, according to officials from Amnesty International who visited the affected communities. Survivors recounted their horrifying experiences, with one stating that the military bombed the community twice, causing widespread devastation and loss of lives.

Condolences, Calls for Investigation

Several individuals and organizations have expressed condolences to the victims’ families and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accidental bombing:

1. Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF): Described the incident as “horrific” and called for an apology from the Nigerian Army, a thorough investigation, and compensation for victims.
2. Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI): Urged a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation and condemned the tragic incident, calling for accountability.
3. President Bola Tinubu: Expressed grief over the bombing, directed a thorough investigation, and called for calm while offering condolences to victims’ families.
4. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar: Mourned the victims and highlighted the worrisome trend of miscalculated air strikes in the country.
5. Northern States Governors’ Forum: Expressed deep sorrow and condolences to the families of the victims, emphasizing the need for professionalism and care in counter-terrorism operations.

Demand for Accountability

Civil society groups and activists have called for accountability and sanctions for those found responsible for the accidental bombing. They criticized the military’s failure in intelligence gathering and stressed the importance of a professional and people-oriented approach in security operations.

Military Response

The Defense Headquarters (DHQ) announced plans to investigate the incident and establish a panel to probe the accidental bombing. The Chief of Army Staff’s on-the-spot assessment will guide the formation of the panel, according to military officials.

The accidental bombing has raised concerns about the need for precision and intelligence in military operations to avoid civilian casualties and underscores the challenges faced in counter-terrorism efforts.