Following the tragic bombing of Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State, the military has completed its investigation, indicting two Nigerian Army officers for their roles in the incident. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, announced the findings during a press briefing at Defence Headquarters on Thursday.
Buba revealed, “The military conducted a painstaking investigation into the accidental drone strike and has initiated disciplinary actions against troops that were indicted. Accordingly, the affected personnel are to face a court-martial for acts of omission or commission with respect to the incident.”
While the investigation report has been submitted to relevant authorities, Buba refrained from divulging further details, citing the ongoing legal proceedings. However, he emphasized that the incident was a regrettable mistake, with the victims mistakenly identified as terrorists.
“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,” Buba added.
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In response to questions from journalists, Buba confirmed that two officers were found guilty in connection to the bombing. The incident, which occurred on December 3, 2023, during a Maulud celebration, resulted in numerous casualties and sparked outrage across the country.
Two days after the bombing, the National Emergency Management Agency reported burying 85 bodies, while Amnesty International’s Nigeria office claimed that 120 people were killed based on reports from their workers and volunteers in the area.
Major VU Okoro, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, clarified that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community.
The military’s swift action in conducting an investigation and holding accountable those responsible for the accidental bombing demonstrates its commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing such incidents. As the legal proceedings unfold, the families of the victims and the affected community await justice and assurance that measures will be put in place to prevent similar tragedies in the future.