Defence Headquarters on Thursday announced the conclusion of the long-awaited investigations on the bombing of innocent citizens of Tudun Biri village of Igabi LGA of Kaduna State.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said at Defence Headquarters, Abuja that two officers of the Nigerian Army who were found wanting about the incident would face court-martial.
The bombing operation, General Buba said, shouldn’t have taken place in the first place.
The drone bombing mistake, which occurred on Sunday, December 3, 2023, resulted in dozens of casualties and injuries to residents of Tudun Biri, Ugara and Sabon Gida.
They had converged at Tudun Biri to celebrate the Maulud.
The Nigerian Army, which claimed responsibility for the deaths, attributed the incident to a mistake.
Giving an update at the briefing, General Buba said in the statement titled ‘UPDATE ON THE TUDUN BIRI AIRSTRKE OF 3 DEC 2023,’ that “the outcome of investigations into the Tudun Biri incident that occurred in Kaduna State indicates that it was indeed a sad event that shouldn’t have occurred. The military has conducted a painstaking investigation into the incident and has initiated disciplinary action against those culpable.
“Accordingly, the affected 2 personnel are to face a court martial for acts of ommission or commission with respect to the incident. It therefore would be adjudged as prejudicial to speak further on the case, since it is before a court.
“Nevertheless, it must be made clear that the incident was a mistake. The victims of the strike were mistaken for terrorist. However, on this note, on behalf of the CDS, officers and personnel of the AFN. Our condolences goes out to the families and loved ones of all those killed by the sad air strike.
“It is hoped that there would be no repeat of strikes on non combatants in ongoing operations. The military will take extra precautions in the future to ensure that non combatants are safe.”