The Nigerian Army has claimed responsibility for carrying out the bombings which led to the killing of several people at Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Valentine Okoro, explained that the Army was on a routine mission against terrorists which inadvertently affected members of the community.
The Air Force, which was earlier accused of carrying out the bombings had denied involvement in any bombing, insting it was fake news to ascribe such to them.
The Kaduna State Government subsequently convened a security meeting presided over by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Hadiza Balarabe, which received briefings on the Sunday night’s attack which left several citizens dead and others injured.
The Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna state, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, said on Monday after the meeting which had in attendance heads of security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, the Nigerian Army, that the circumstances which led to the unfortunate and unintended attack were explained.
He said: “The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Valentine Okoro explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community.
“The Deputy Governor at the end of the closed-door meeting, conveyed the condolences of the Government and People of Kaduna State to the families that lost their loved ones, and prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls.
“As of the time of this update, search-and-rescue efforts are still on-going, as dozens of injured victims have been evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital by the Government”.
Aruwan added that other heads of security agencies who attended the meeting included the Commissioner of Police, M. Y. Garba and Director of the Department of State Services (DSS).
“The Chairman of the Kaduna State Chapter of Jam’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Prof. Shafi’u Abdullahi, led other religious leaders.
“Also present at the meeting was the District of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris in whose domain the incident occurred,“ Aruwan said.