In a devastating incident on Sunday, the Kaduna State Government confirmed that the Nigerian Army has taken responsibility for a tragic bombing in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The incident, occurring during a Maulud celebration, resulted in the loss of at least 30 lives.
Initially, the Nigerian Air Force had denied involvement in the attack, with the Director of Public Relations and Information, Commodore Edward Gabkwet, stating that NAF had not conducted any operations in Kaduna within the last 24 hours.
However, the Overseeing Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, revealed that the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj Gen VU Okoro, admitted the Army’s role in the tragic event. According to Aruwan, the Army was on a routine mission against terrorists when the unintentional attack on the community occurred.
The commissioner released a statement following a meeting held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna on Monday. The gathering, presided over by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, included Islamic clerics, traditional rulers, heads of security agencies, and other key figures.
Major VU Okoro explained the circumstances leading to the unintended attack, emphasizing that the military’s mission was directed against terrorists. Search-and-rescue operations were ongoing at the time of the statement, with injured victims being evacuated to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital under the supervision of the state government.
Dr. Hadiza Balarabe expressed the government’s condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and offered prayers for the repose of the victims’ souls. Notable attendees at the meeting included the state Commissioner of Police, MY Garba; Director of the Department of State Services, Abdul Eneche; and religious leaders, including the Chairman of the Kaduna State Chapter of Jam’atu Nasril Islam, Prof. Shafi’u Abdullahi. The incident occurred in the domain of the District Head of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris.
