From Nicholas Dekera, Kaduna

President Bola Tinubu has sympathised with the families of victims, the people and government of Kaduna State over the bomb incident that resulted in mass deaths in Tundun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale in a statement on Tuesday said the president had directed a thorough and full-fledged investigations into the incident.

Tinubu who called for calm as “authorities look diligently into the mishap” described the incident as “very unfortunate, disturbing, and painful”, and expressed indignation and grief over the tragic loss of Nigerian lives.

Tinubu also directed swift and comprehensive medical attention for surviving victims while praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

Similarly, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has visited and commiserated with victims of the incident.

The COAS in emotion laden voice tendered unreserved apology to the people of the community and their leadership.

This was as he donated the sum of N10million to the injured survivors of the accident for their upkeep, as he paid them visit at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna.

The Nigerian Army, on Monday accepted responsibility for the error attack that claimed dozens of lives on Sunday night when the villagers were celebrating Maulud Nabbiy.

The Chief of Army Staff who was accompanied by top military commanders to the village, which is about five kilometers west of the Kaduna International Airport, prayed at the mass grave of the victims.

Speaking with journalists shortly afterwards, the COAS said the accidental strike was done by Unarmed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) platforms on the trail of bandits.

According to him, “On Sunday the 3rd of December, 2023, 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 and 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 civilian in Tudun Biri that the drone carried out the strike on,” Lagbaja said.

He continued that, with the reports, he felt the urgent and essential need to visit the attacked vicinity physically to first commiserate with the community on the unfortunate incident.

According to him, the visit was also aimed at determining the kind of enquiry that would be conducted by the Nigerian Army to forestall recurrence of such unfortunate incident.

“We also look beyond to determine the kind of operations we will be conducting going forward in the vicinity and its environs. 

“We have already set up inquiry, while visit to the village has given an idea of the kind of expertise that would be employed into the committee.

“The enquiry committee will ensure a wholistic view and recommendations that will be worthwhile going forward.”

He said the Nigerian Army as a responsible organisation of the government would support the law abiding citizens and their families for being victims of the unfortunate incident, adding that the army would also provide support to the entire community to alleviate their sufferings.

The COAS however urged the community to always provide useful information to authorities and security operatives in order to ensure swift action against adversaries.

The District Head of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris described the drone attack as unfortunate, saying over 80 people were buried.

He confirmed the COAS statement that the environment was infested by bandits as he said that the community had suffered banditry attacks.

He however urged the army to continue doing its best in protecting the lives and property of the citizens, as he expressed optimism that authorities would compensate families of the deceased to ameliorate their sufferings.

The COAS and his entourage thereafter visited the survivors of the attack at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital and donated N10million to the survivors for their upkeep.