Tudun Biri killings: Defence Headquarters, Kaduna State government differ on number of casualties  

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has differed with the Defence Headquarters on the number of deaths registered following Sunday’s unintentional bombing of Tudun Biri village in the state’s Igabi Local Government Area.

The bereaved governor, while appearing on Channels Television on Friday, explained that 87 people have died and not 81, as reported by the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

Governor Uba Sani clarified that 86 villagers lost their lives on the first day of the tragic occurrence, while 76 were hospitalised, but one person died on Thursday, bringing the death toll to 87.

He stressed that the event was caused by inadequate information and coordination among the military forces.

The Kaduna State governor praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his prompt reaction and intervention, vowing to assist the victims’ families and rebuild the community.

“What is confirmed by the community families visited directly is that we have lost 86 people. Eighty-six were killed at the beginning; we took 76 to the hospital. Out of this figure, one person died on Thursday.

“The incident happened due to insufficient information and coordination among the armed forces,” he said.

Recall that dozens of civilians were killed in Nigeria’s northern Kaduna state following a military drone attack targeting insurgents and bandits on Sunday night.

Uba Sani said Muslims taking part in Maulud celebrations in Tudun Biri village “were mistakenly killed and many others injured following a military drone attack targeting terrorists and bandits”.

The incident is a repeat of a pattern of deadly aerial assaults by the Nigerian military that have killed civilians by mistake.

President Tinubu called the incident a “bombing mishap,” which was “very unfortunate, disturbing, and painful,” his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said.

“The President directs a thorough and full-fledged investigation into the incident and calls for calm while the authorities look diligently into the mishap,” said Ngelale.