After a thorough investigation into the bombing of Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State, the military has concluded its findings and indicted two Nigerian Army officers.
The officers will face a court-martial as the operation was deemed unauthorized.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Defence Headquarters, Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, provided an update on the incident. He stated, “The military has conducted a meticulous investigation into the accidental drone strike and has taken disciplinary actions against the implicated troops. Consequently, the personnel involved will face a court-martial for their actions or inactions relating to the incident.”
Buba further mentioned that the investigation report has been submitted to the relevant authorities, but specific details were not disclosed at this time.
Accepting responsibility for the incident, the Army acknowledged it as a mistake. Buba clarified, “While I am limited in providing extensive details due to the ongoing court-martial proceedings, it is crucial to emphasize that the incident was an unfortunate mistake. The victims of the strike were mistakenly identified as terrorists. Moving forward, the military will exercise extra precautions to ensure the safety of non-combatants and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.”
In response to inquiries from journalists, Buba confirmed that two officers had been found guilty.
The bombing, which occurred on December 3, 2023, during a Maulud celebration, resulted in a significant number of casualties. The National Emergency Management Agency reported burying 85 bodies two days after the incident, 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, explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community.
