Nigeria Army has described Sunday night air raid on Tundu Biri village in Kaduna, which killed many civilians as a collateral damage.
The Tundu Biri community was thrown into pandemonium at about 9.30pm Sunday when a series of bomb explosions ripped through the village. According to General Officer Commanding One Division Nigeria Army, Major VU Okoro, it was a spill over of bandits pursuit from Zamfara State.
Major Okoro who was briefing the Kaduna State government Monday during a closed door meeting of stakeholders regretted that Civilians were affected during a routine mission against terrorists.
The Kaduna State deputy governor Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, who presided over the meeting, said the government was pained by the loss of lives and prayed to God to console the families who have been bereaved following the unfortunate accident.
Search and rescue efforts were still ongoing for the villagers who fled, while those on the danger list were treated at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital by the Government.
Meanwhile the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) high command said it did not drop bombs on villagers at Tudun Biri village.
Air Force spokesman Air 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. Also, note that the NAF is not the only organization 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.”
