Kaduna, December 5, 2023: The Kaduna State Government has disclosed that the Nigerian Army has taken responsibility for the tragic incident in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area, where a bomb dropped during a Maulud celebration resulted in the loss of at least 30 lives on Sunday.
Earlier, the Nigerian Air Force had denied any involvement in the attack, contrary to initial reports. However, the Overseeing Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed that the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj Gen VU Okoro, admitted the Army’s role in the incident.
A statement released by Commissioner Aruwan highlighted that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists when the unintended attack occurred. The revelation was made during a meeting at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna, where Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe met with Islamic clerics, traditional rulers, and heads of security agencies.
The statement read, “The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major VU Okoro, explained that the Nigerian Army was on a routine mission against terrorists but inadvertently affected members of the community.”
Despite search-and-rescue efforts still ongoing, dozens of injured victims have been evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital by the state government. Commissioner Aruwan conveyed the government’s condolences to the families of the victims and emphasized that the incident was unfortunate and unintended.
The meeting included heads of security agencies such as the state Commissioner of Police, MY Garba; Director of the Department of State Services, Abdul Eneche; Chairman of the Kaduna State Chapter of Jam’atu Nasril Islam, Prof. Shafi’u Abdullahi; and the District Head of Rigasa, Alhaji Aminu Idris, in whose domain the incident occurred. The community remains in mourning as the government works to address the aftermath of the tragic event.
